Netflix latest 'must-watch' film for royal fans with star-studded cast
The understated period drama The Other Boleyn Girl, released in 2008 and featuring Scarlett Johansson alongside other top-tier talent, has been praised for its "very good" performances. Set in the 16th century, it tells the story of royal affairs.
At the heart of the film is Mary Boleyn, once a consort of King Henry VIII, and her sister Anne, whose ultimate fate was to face execution by the same king. It is now currently available to stream on Netflix.
A critic from Rotten Tomatoes observed: "With all of the dukes, earls, counts, viscounts, countesses, and whatnot to keep track of, The Other Boleyn Girl will probably appeal primarily to fans of British royalty and all of the associated hoopla that goes along with it."
Dipping into an era thick with scandal, the storyline delves into the dramatic episodes that culminate in Anne Boleyn's harrowing downfall, depicting her union with the monarch as fraught with treachery and anguish.
The beheading of Anne Boleyn in 1536 on charges of treason marked a pivotal moment, setting alight the sparks of the English Reformation, as reported by the Mirror.
Natalie Portman plays the ill-starred Anne Boleyn, Scarlett Johansson embodies Mary, while Eric Bana takes on the role of King Henry VIII.
Following her celebrated performance in the memorable V for Vendetta, Portman embraces the bygone epoch with hair extensions for her role. Commentators have remarked: "Very good acting from both Portman and Johansson. An overall good watch. Not periodically sound, but the execution was very good."
The Other Boleyn Girl compellingly recasts a family entrenched in political machinations, vying for influence over the king.
The film not only offers a window into the alleged off-stage drama within the Royal Family, but also sets itself against a pivotal chapter in British history, marking the era when Henry VIII made divorce part of the country's narrative.
Despite the consensus that the performances are a highlight, the movie has encountered its fair share of critics. A spectator remarked: "I found the movie to be very entertaining. I don't know what happened in the past history for the events that occurred, but the movie itself was quite good."
Upon its release, The Guardian awarded the production a respectable three stars out of five, dubbing it a "flashy, silly, undeniably entertaining Tudor romp". Someone in the audience noted the film as a "routinely narrated story".
They added: "Here it is told well with a great cast delivering performances that are trying to keep pace given the squeezing of so much into such a relatively short time frame. Yes, it takes liberties with the original story...but how else do you retell it? Certainly worth a watch."
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