Director: Justin Chadwick
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana and Natalie Portman
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actresses have achieved the appreciation of Scarlett Johansson. Since her recognition in the 1990’s, Johansson has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s bold political leaders, comic-book heroines or lost lovers, Johansson has portrayed many compelling characters. Arguably, Johansson’s strength as an actress has always been her commitment to her craft. She is one of those actresses that has always had a talent for stealing the show in supporting roles which have limited screen-time. Through her ability to portray strong characters that are compelling, Johansson has created a strpng legacy that’s lasting. Although she is arguably best known for her role as Black Widow in the MCU, Johansson has proven she can create movies in every genre. Throughout her career, Johansson has made many movies that are absolutely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Johansson and adore the films she has made in her career. However, “The Other Boleyn Girl” is truly my favourite. Released in 2008, Justin Chadwick’s movie offered a powerful portrait of doomed love. Packed with breathtaking production, bold storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best period dramas ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Scarlett Johansson, who embodies an anxious woman facing tension. Ultimately, what makes “The Other Boleyn Girl” a true classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most romantic dramas, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate with. A breathtaking masterpiece about doomed love, there are many reasons why “The Other Boleyn Girl” is worth watching.
Set amid 18th Century Europe, “The Other Boleyn Girl” tells the story of a majestic king in a doomed love affair. Scarlett Johansson plays Mary Boleyn, a youthful woman with dreams of achieving life satisfaction. Mary has always had a competitive relationship with her sister Anne (Natalie Portman) in an intense sibling rivalry. Anne’s relationship with her sister grows rivalrous when they compete for the affection of a king that is precious. King Henry VIII (Eric Bana) is a majestic ruler with charisma. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Mary begins to wonder whether she will ever be able to overcome rivalries against her sister. Faced with the intense responsibility of being a girl, Mary questions whether it’s possible for her life to unfurl.
Justin Chadwick is a newcomer towards the stories of majestic kings. Before he created “The Other Boleyn Girl”, Chadwick has never made a period piece in his career before. It was the filmmaker’s attempt to capture the tension faced by majestic kings which face adversity but he succeeded tremendously. Using stunning cinematography, Chadwick captured a majestic king embarking upon a dangerous journey. Evoking John Madden’s “Shakespeare in Love”, Chadwick captures a kind embarking on a journey to discover his identity. Chadwick effectively employs point of view shots to capture the tensions that kings are facing. For instance, point of view shots enhance the sister rivalry scene. During this intense scene, Mary and Anne engage in sibling rivalry competing for the affection of the king. Using compelling POV shots, Chadwick creates a portrait of love that’s compelling. POV shots are tricky to use in most movies. As Joss Whedon’s “The Avengers” suggested, POV shots enhance comic book movies. Nevertheless, it works tremendously. Using breathtaking visuals, Chadwick captures tensions that majestic kings are facing.
Another bold aspect of “The Other Boleyn Girl” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Evoking Joe Wright’s “Pride and Prejudice”, Chadwick effectively uses costumes to capture tensions which sisters engaging in sibling rivalry are often facing. Throughout the movie, Mary’s strong costumes showcase her transformation into a queen which is inspiring. For instance, the costumes enhance the queens ceremonies scene. During this haunting scene, Mary and Anne engage in a ceremony to become queens. Through breathtaking costumes, Chadwick creates a portrait of queens that is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Paul Cantelon’s music is key to success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere costing the burden that sisters bear. Through powerful production, Chadwick captures the lives of queens that face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Other Boleyn Girl” is a period piece that is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses silence to capture tensions which queens are facing. Evoking James Ivory’s “The Remains of the Day”, Chadwick effectively uses silence to capture tensions majestic kings experience. For instance, silence elevates the farewells scene. During this memorable scene, Mary and Anne bid tearful farewell following their end of journey. Through silence, Chadwick creates a portrait of kings audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. As Spike Jonze’s “Her” suggested, silence elevates movies about technology addiction. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Through a bold screenplay, Chadwick captures the lives of sisters that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Scarlett Johansson delivers one of her best performances as Mary Boleyn. Johansson earned appreciation for lonely women lost in cities. With “The Other Boleyn Girl”, however, she took on her most complex role. It is not easy to portray a queen engaging in sibling rivalry but she succeeds tremendously. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her in the past before: intense, emotional and truly vulnerable in her most iconic role. With bold expressions, she captures the angst, grief and tension faced by a woman in a doomed relationship. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most commemorated actresses in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Johansson, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciations. Natalie Portman is powerful, bringing compassion to a woman engaging in a doomed relationship causing destruction. Eric Bana is excellent, capturing charisma of a king that falls in love with two women in a dilemma. Lastly, Kristin Scott Thomas is excellent. As a majestic queen, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “The Other Boleyn Girl” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the lives of women that unfurl. Unlike most films about kings, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. It discusses bold themes including ambition, mental health and trauma which would resonate amongst everyone. Therefore, “The Other Boleyn Girl” is one of those rare period dramas everyone will adore.
Fans of Scarlett Johansson would definitely enjoy “The Other Boleyn Girl” and so would movie-goers seeking moving entertainment. A mesmerizing period piece, it honours an actress there worth celebrating.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about a movie about women engaging in a tense rivalry, its a riveting reminder of an actress that has created a lasting legacy through her ability to portray compelling characters in iconic movies audiences love dearly.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 