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8:37 pm
May 16, 2011
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Okay so i was watching The Other Boleyn Girl the other night for the hundredth time and for the first time i started thinking and now have mixed feelings for it instead of hatred for it.
I think the movie is great as entertainment and something interesting to watch BUT it's not accurate as in not something to watch for truthful facts. Natalie Portman's portrayal as Anne was amazing despite the character of bitchy, mean, selfish, decieveing etc etc. I actually start tearing up at the execution because her tears are so believeable and moving although Natalie Dormer's execution scene actually got me crying like a baby. The actors did their job and did it well despite the script.
There's another thing that bothers me, the appearences. Scarlett J and Natalie look absolutley nothing alike!!!! Natalie and The George actor could actually pass as siblings and the parents actors kind of pass as their parents but Scarlett looks nothing like none of them. They all have dark hair and skin and she has pale skin and blonde hair. I'm sorry but it looks like Elizabeth Boleyn had an affair and Mary Boleyn isn't actually Thomas's daughter!
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
12:08 am
January 17, 2011
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I love this movie purely for entertainment, it will never be a patch on “Anne Of The Thousand Days” but when I just want to sit back chill out and be entertained then this movie is great 
3:10 am
April 11, 2011
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Good point Sophie, we can get a bit too serious about these things sometimes. This was a film for entertainment, not a documentary and should therefore be enjoyed for what it is. There are many historical films that I have seen and enjoyed, despite the fact that they've taken some liberties with known facts. The problem can be when the viewer doesn't know the facts and is led into believing that what they are viewing is an historically accurate depiction. Some people, as we know, don't make this distinction very clear – Yes PG, I do mean you!
7:39 pm
May 16, 2011
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The only reason i have a problem with the movie is that for people who don't particulary know who Anne is and her REAL story believe everything this movie says. I've had so many people ask me why i'd like and support someone so evil and it annoys me to no end. Especially people who've only read and seen The Other Boleyn Girl because Phillipa makes everyone think she knows everything that happend back then and acts like being a best historian on Anne Boleyn times.
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
4:54 am
April 9, 2011
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I stumbled upon the movie via the internet when the trailer was released. Plus at the time there was talk that it might be a potential Oscar candidate, but those talks were squashed when the movie was moved from a November release to the following Feb/March (I think) release. Seeing the trailer bought back all my lovely memories of learning about the Tudors and Stuarts in Year 8. What intrigued me the most from the trailer was discovering that Henry slept with his 2nd wife's sister. Something I had no idea about, and it intrigued and made me want to see the movie to learn more. Unfortunately the movie came and went in Australian cinemas without me seeing it. I eventually stumbled upon it one holidays in the video store and remembered how much I wanted to see it, so I rented it out and sat down and watched it.
And wow, I was blown away with the story. I learnt all this stuff about Tudor England and Henry that just wasn't taught to me. I was really intrigued about the notion that Henry discarded one sister for the other and ended up marrying the other boleyn girl. I was totally swept up in the story, so much that while I thought Anne was a cow during the movie, the ending absolutley got me. I knew she died, but man was I hoping for a Hollywood happy ending.
So after the first viewing I decided I would like to read the book. It took me probably about a year after watching the movie to buy the book (mainly due to the fact I over thought the concept of purchasing a 'chick flick' novel). I was consumed by the book and loved it. I am comfortable to say that I found it an enjoyable read. And I like how the title has a double meaning behind. On the surface, it is about Mary, the other Boleyn girl forgotten by history. But within the book, for me anyway, it is a reference to Anne, the other Boleyn girl who is not the narrator.
I was so enthralled with the book that I had to find out more which led me here, which led me to purchasing a whole lot of historical biographies on personalities linked to Henry VIII. And which obviously has allowed me to learn about the truth behind the movie I watched all those years ago.
After reading the novel, I went out and purchased the movie to add to my Hollywood's version of British Royalty collection I started. I sat down and watched it and discovered that the movie I loved before was now a pile of disjointed scenes and history was rushed through for no real purpose than trying to get a movie that was less than 100 minutes. Regardless of how the novel represented the players, you have to admit the movie does very little justice to the book's characters.
As an adaptation of a novel, in my opinion, the movie only did 3 things right:
1. The execution of Anne – it still had that emotional impact on 2nd viewing. Where you knew it was wrong that she was killed.
2. The addressing of the incest plotpoint from the novel – The movie deals with it much better and actually showed a plausible scenario on how the charges against Anne and George could have been dreamt up.
3. Ma and Pa Boleyn are much more sympathetic in the movie. And the Uncle is shown to be more of the power hungry man, which allows you to feel really sorry for the Boleyn family as a whole.
I will still watch the movie, but having read the book I wil always think 'If only…' And yes, while there are historical errors in the movie, I don't hold it against it. For me, any movie should be treated as fictional based on fact and it is up to me to learn the real story. If I wanted the real story I would watch a documentary.
2:51 am
July 17, 2011
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I watched it for the first time in ages last night. And I just think the whole thing is lacking in any depth. The whole plot line seems rushed to me, although I understand it had to be crammed into 2 hours. I don't feel any empathy with any of the characters, and the lack of chemistry between Henry and Anne means that I am left bewildered as to why he divorced KOA, and broke away from Rome to marry Anne. The passion between them just isn't conveyed well.
While I don't like the characterisation of Anne in the film – being portrayed as a one dimensional b**ch, I think Natalie Portman is a more believable Anne than Natalie Dormer had she been given a better script to work with. I tohught Natalie Dormer had a tendency to overact , and I would almost cringe at her delivery at times. I hated that self satisfied smirk that was endlessly present on her face.
'If honour were profitable, everybody would be honourable' Thomas More
8:52 am
June 7, 2010
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While this movie is grossly innaccurate, I felt it did somethings right, and there were aspects I really loved. I can't say I hated the film. It certainly not “Anne of the Thousand Days.”
Regardless, it is entertainment. The problem rests with people's assumption that it's portraying fact, when it's not, and the accept PG and Hollywood's version of history. The best adivice: take a film and novel for what it's worth. But, for the truth, stick to the professionals: properly trained historians.
Liked:
1. The recreation of the Tudor World. I felt the time period come alive: the low lighting, beautiful clothing, medieval surroudings. It was one of the highlights of the novel, as well.
2. Natalie Portman. She is an excellent Anne. I forgave the bitchy portrayal since Ms. Portman had a limited script to work with. I agre with Catalina that she did not over act, and no one can cry like Natalie Portman.
3. Clothing. Okay, they are not completely accurate, but they made an attempt to dress the women in headresses, which was to my liking. I liked the contrast in colours between Mary and Anne.
Dislike:
1. The rushed, convoluted story line. After watching, I never saw the passion between H and A; Anne's intelligence, religious dedication, or political will never came through. Henry was flat (come one, he's H8 for goodness sakes. It's not hard to make him menacing). Mary Boleyn was annoying and stupid (which did nothing for character development, or why Henry noticed her over Anne).
2. The unnecessary playing of facts. There was no need to distort certain things (too many to name here), but I hope people get what I'm saying.
3. Poor casting of Henry and Mary. I guess better actors stayed away from this film. However, the film had a strong supporting cast of great English talent. I did love David Morrissey's Duke of Norfolk.
"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn
9:03 am
July 17, 2011
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DuchessofBrittany said:
3. Poor casting of Henry and Mary. I guess better actors stayed away from this film. However, the film had a strong supporting cast of great English talent. I did love David Morrissey's Duke of Norfolk.
I really liked the portrayal of Norfolk in this film too. Thomas Boleyn however looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights most of the time.
'If honour were profitable, everybody would be honourable' Thomas More
8:11 pm
January 10, 2011
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I have it in my closet, but i never watch it, i can stand how it's been portrayed, i expected better from Natalie Portman, but then again, i am not a fan of Philippa Gregory
8:13 pm
November 18, 2010
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Kelly said:
I have it in my closet, but i never watch it, i can stand how it's been portrayed, i expected better from Natalie Portman, but then again, i am not a fan of Philippa Gregory
I'd heard Natalie Portman was going to be in a prequel to Star Wars. I'm glad that never happened.
It's always bunnies.
8:16 pm
January 10, 2011
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Anyanka said:
Kelly said:
I have it in my closet, but i never watch it, i can stand how it's been portrayed, i expected better from Natalie Portman, but then again, i am not a fan of Philippa Gregory
I'd heard Natalie Portman was going to be in a prequel to Star Wars. I'm glad that never happened.
I can only agree with u lol
12:58 pm
January 9, 2010
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This adaptation irritates me no end. The whole things just a mess. The three leads were all horribly miscast; Natalie Portman (who I usually love) was far too arch and modern, Eric Bana was probably the worst screen Henry ever and I'm beginning to suspect that Scarlett Johansson can only do one facial expression – simpering. In every scene she was in that was her look, no matter what Mary Boleyn was going throught at the time. Hmm, I wonder if any of them bothered to read the source material?!
Yet the support cast wasn't too bad – I liked Kristen Scott Thomas as Anne's mother and David Morrissey as Norfolk was pretty good too.
The plot though was too rushed and at times made no sense; if I knew very little or nothing about Tudor history I'd wonder what the heck was going on. But then it was so bad that I probably wouldn't care.
5:24 pm
May 16, 2011
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Uh Natalie Portman was not the problem with the movie. She did great and did her job, which is to read the lines off the script and make it believable. All the actors and actresses were great, the problem was the scrpit and the makers of the movie and the biggest problem was the book itself. Natalie Portman is an amazing actress, my favorite actually.
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
7:11 pm
April 9, 2011
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I would have to diagree that the main problem was the book itself. The book actually made sense, regardless of what theories and relationships were presented and your personal views about them you can't deny that the narrative was cohesive and motivations were clear. The script on the otherhand seemed like it was written using the blurb of the book. It was far too rushed. In the book I sympathised with Mary for Anne 'stealing' Henry away from her. In the movie it seemed Anne only did it out of spite because that's what sisters do apparently.
The history behind the story was ignored for god knows what reason – probably because it was English history and not American history – and we all know how Hollywood oly cares about America's view on history. Normally when I read or watch about Katherine's divorce from Henry I have sympathy for all sides. In this movie, it was like Henry wants to be with Anne now, oh did you know he is already married? Here is his first wife, let her speak and then let's be rid of her.
As I said in an earlier post, the one thing the movie does better than the book is present a plausible theory on how the incest charge may have occurred and still allow Anne and George to not physically commit incest.
While Eric and Scarlett were pretty much bleh, I do feel that Natalie was able to develop Anne a lot more than what the script presented to her. Her execution scene was amazing and I discovered that I really was hoping for a Hollywood ending, thanks largely to the performance from Natalie in that scene.
12:08 am
December 5, 2009
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Bill, I think you've hit the nail on the head as to why many people hate both the book and the film. The book depicted Anne and George committing incest and the film gave a plausible explanation for the charge by having them contemplate it. Either way, to have two such religious people even contemplate incest is despicable and also makes a mockery of the fact that the charge was completely manufactured, with no plausible expanation being either needed or given.
6:47 am
May 16, 2011
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Okay, fine, i admit it. I admit when i first read the book i liked it. I did. I was engrossed in it until i got my but up and did research and discovered this website and found out OTBG was a big lie. And the Q & A in the back of the book made me really wanna rip PG's eyes out. If you haven't read the Q & A, here are some of the Answers from PG :
“Anne was clearly guilty of one murder” Um no never been proven.
“George Boleyn was the obvious choice for Anne to get a baby, if she cheated.” Really!? Really???!!!
She also supports the idea of George being a homosexual. This was never proven either.
“She (Anne) did not dare to sleep with him, which would have destroyed her chances at being his wife.” How in the world could Anne have known Henry would want her as a wife?! Why would she even think to be become his wife at all? Nobody knew he'd break with the church and divorce Katherine for her. N.O.B.O.D.Y !!!!
Then if you own the DVD and go to special features on one of the features Phillipa is being interviewed and keeps going on and on about how Anne was a 'bad' person.
If you really admire and love Anne, then this is not okay in any sense. Watching and reading her being continually slammed and slammed is sick. You know, Anne should of cheated and become a witch and everything else because if lies like this are gonna be told then what was the point of her declaring her innocence? And if she was just gonna become beheaded then what was the point of her fighting so hard? …Sorry if i seem like i'm ranting. I just get sensitive about this stuff. I firmly believe Anne was innocent and didn't deserve any of the punishment she got.
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
7:38 am
June 7, 2011
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Mademoiselle Mya said:
Okay, fine, i admit it. I admit when i first read the book i liked it. I did. I was engrossed in it until i got my but up and did research and discovered this website and found out OTBG was a big lie. And the Q & A in the back of the book made me really wanna rip PG's eyes out. If you haven't read the Q & A, here are some of the Answers from PG :
“Anne was clearly guilty of one murder” Um no never been proven.
“George Boleyn was the obvious choice for Anne to get a baby, if she cheated.” Really!? Really???!!!
She also supports the idea of George being a homosexual. This was never proven either.
“She (Anne) did not dare to sleep with him, which would have destroyed her chances at being his wife.” How in the world could Anne have known Henry would want her as a wife?! Why would she even think to be become his wife at all? Nobody knew he'd break with the church and divorce Katherine for her. N.O.B.O.D.Y !!!!
Then if you own the DVD and go to special features on one of the features Phillipa is being interviewed and keeps going on and on about how Anne was a 'bad' person.
If you really admire and love Anne, then this is not okay in any sense. Watching and reading her being continually slammed and slammed is sick. You know, Anne should of cheated and become a witch and everything else because if lies like this are gonna be told then what was the point of her declaring her innocence? And if she was just gonna become beheaded then what was the point of her fighting so hard? …Sorry if i seem like i'm ranting. I just get sensitive about this stuff. I firmly believe Anne was innocent and didn't deserve any of the punishment she got.
I agree with you, I don't find it entertaining in any way! Anne was a real person! She doesn't deserve to be constantly insulted, especially since we now understand the charges were false. When I hear people say these things about Anne, I feel her enemies are winning… It makes me enraged!!!
"It is however but Justice, & my Duty to declre that this amiable Woman was entirely innocent of the Crimes with which she was accused, of which her Beauty, her Elegance, & her Sprightliness were sufficient proofs..." Jane Austen.
9:16 am
May 16, 2011
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It does feel like her enemies are winning. Like what Henry wanted soo bad (for people to believe she was evil and everything) is still being believed today. I really wish i could just give him a nice slap, or what some people call a Bitch Slap. He deserves that. For everything he did. Just one nice hit and make him realize what he did. He needs to feel ashamed and guilty.
• Grumble all you like, this is how it’s going to be.
2:23 pm
June 7, 2011
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Mademoiselle Mya said:
It does feel like her enemies are winning. Like what Henry wanted soo bad (for people to believe she was evil and everything) is still being believed today. I really wish i could just give him a nice slap, or what some people call a Bitch Slap. He deserves that. For everything he did. Just one nice hit and make him realize what he did. He needs to feel ashamed and guilty.
Don't forget a hard kick to his baby making facilities!
"It is however but Justice, & my Duty to declre that this amiable Woman was entirely innocent of the Crimes with which she was accused, of which her Beauty, her Elegance, & her Sprightliness were sufficient proofs..." Jane Austen.
4:01 pm
April 9, 2011
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Watched this last night when it was on TV and my opinion of it has sunk even more. Firstly, I think it should have had another title as it really doesn’t use PG’s plot and characterisation at all. So many plot points were moved around and made up, it’s like a totally different story to what PG wrote. Secondly, everything is so rushed, I’m pretty sure the events in the film spanned a total of 18 months and I only say that to accomodatethe 2 pregnancies shown.
If this was my introduction to Henry I would have no idea why he chose to marry Anne and why he needed to kill Anne. I got the impression that it was the Duke Of Norfolk running the country, not Henry VIII.
Also on this viewing the portrayal of Jane Boelyn really annoyed me, the vindictive little cow.
If only I had the money, connections and skills I would love to make a move or mini series dealing with the reign of Anne that was sympathetic and accurate.
