I don’t think I remember The Other Boleyn Girl back in 2008, but I have known of it for a few years. I know the story of King Henry VIII very well, he’s easily one of the most memorable and worst kings in English history.

Natalie Portman plays Anne Boleyn, while Scarlett Johansson plays her younger sister Mary. The movie obviously starts when King Henry VIII’s wife Catherine cannot produce him a male heir. Her family is noble, so their uncle knows the King quite well. It is soon later that Anne is asked to do something for the King.

Her father and uncle inform her that the King is interested in Anne. With the Queen unable to have anymore children, they hope Anne can give Henry a healthy son. Soon after there are some issues, like her sister Mary who also becomes involved in a romance with the King. The other is a political issue for King Henry VIII, as the Pope will never allow him to divorce his wife.

Before I saw it, I learned that the movie isn’t based on history itself but a novel based on history. The original book had many historical inaccuracies from what I hear, but I didn’t find it that bad in the film. They seem to make things probably way more dramatic than they were. I did like the movie, it was actually a bit better than I expected.

Score: B-