The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
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42% of critics liked it
(140 reviews) -
65% of users liked it
(193,547 ratings)
Adapted from author Philippa Gregory's historical novel of the same name, director Justin Chadwick's atmospheric period drama follows the fierce competition between sisters Mary (Scarlett Johansson) and Anne Boleyn (Natalie Portman) to win the affections of Tudor king Henry VIII (Eric Bana).… More Adapted from author Philippa Gregory's historical novel of the same name, director Justin Chadwick's atmospheric period drama follows the fierce competition between sisters Mary (Scarlett Johansson) and Anne Boleyn (Natalie Portman) to win the affections of Tudor king Henry VIII (Eric Bana). Anne and Mary Boleyn are under pressure from their father and uncle to help maintain the family's rich legacy and ensure their further prosperity by winning the affections of none other than the king of England (Eric Bana). But life in the royal court is far different than it was in the countryside where these two sisters were raised, and before long their bid to earn the love of the king has transformed two once-happy sisters into bitter rivals. At first, it appears that Mary has triumphed in winning the king's favor by becoming his mistress and bearing him an illegitimate child. Despite her early success, however, Mary has underestimated just how clever and cunning her sibling can truly be. Not only does the relentless Anne manage to edge aside her sister in the eyes of King Henry, but she also succeeds in averting his gaze from his wife, Queen Catherine of Aragon, as well. Mary is driven by genuine affection for King Henry, while her sister Anne has only kept up the charade in a desperate bid to become the queen of England. Now, the growing chasm between two sisters is mirrored on a larger scale as England becomes divided more than ever before. As the consequences of their actions threaten to alter the course of an entire nation, these two sisters will ultimately discover that the only place they will find true strength and loyalty is in family, and that no matter what the consequences they will forever be bound by blood. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Directed By
- Justin Chadwick
- Written By
- Peter Morgan
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
- In Theaters
- Feb 29, 2008 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures/Columbia
Critic Reviews
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Dave Calhoun, Time Out
Why in the name of ermine boleros would anyone make such a dull, coy and, worst of all, pretty film about Anne Boleyn?
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Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
I think the performances are really good.
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Claudia Puig, USA Today
[An] oversimplified, overheated mediocre melodrama.
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Philip Marchand, Toronto Star
[A] vulgarized portrayal of the Tudor court.
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Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York
Overscored and lacking even the faintest realism of period, the movie still bears undeniable trash charms, if nothing near the deep satisfactions of such medieval nonsense as Beckett.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Cast
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Natalie Portman
as Anne Boleyn
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Scarlett Johansson
as Mary Boleyn
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Eric Bana
as Henry Tudor
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Jim Sturgess
as George Boleyn
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Mark Rylance
as Sir Thomas Boleyn
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Kristin Scott Thomas
as Lady Elizabeth Boleyn
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David Morrissey
as The Duke of Norfolk
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Benedict Cumberbatch
as William Carey
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Oliver Coleman
as Henry Percy
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Ana Torrent
as Katherine of Aragon
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Eddie Redmayne
as William Stafford
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Thom Cox
as Rider
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Michael Smiley
as Physician
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Montserrat Roig de Puig
as Lady in Waiting
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Juno Temple
as Jane Parker
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Iain Mitchell
as Thomas Cromwell
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Andrew Garfield
as Francis Weston
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Mark Lewis Jones
as Brandon
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Alfie Allen
as King's Messenger
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Joseph Moore
as Young Henry
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Tiffany Friesberg
as Mary Talbot
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Bill Wallis
as Archbishop Cranmer
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Joanna Scanlan
as Midwife
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Brodie Judge
as Young Catherine
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Oscar Negus
as Little Henry
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Maisie Smith
as Young Elizabeth
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Daisy Doidge-Hill
as Young Anne
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Kizzy Fassett
as Young Mary
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Finton Reilly
as Young George
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Emma Noakes
as Maid
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Poppy Hurst
as Little Catherine
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Constance Stride
as Mary Tudor








