THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL
Rated PG-13
Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana

Brian's Rating

On the extensive and impressive list of women whose influence over men has changed history, Ann Boleyn ranks right up there with Cleopatra and Helen of Troy.

But when reviewing the ranks of available actresses who could have made this treacherous temptress come to life on film, my choices would not have included Natalie Portman.

While Scarlett Johansson's portrayal of discarded sister Mary evokes sympathy and compassion, the filmmakers do little to convince us of Ann Boleyn's power over the king with whom the sisters shared affections.

This is the woman who got Henry the VIII to tell the Pope to take a hike? There's got to be more to her than what we see here.

Long and lumbering, The Other Boleyn Girl, now on DVD, stumbles through one of the most toxic periods in English court life, showing the vile, behind-the-scenes efforts of a few nobles to secure the favor of the king. Fathers become pimps, daughters become pawns, but all is forgiven because the king must have an heir.

Despite the historical significance of the story, I was bored and came away disappointed.