The Other Boleyn Girl

The Other Boleyn Girl stars two of the most beautiful 20 somethings in Hollywood today, Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson.

These two play probably the most famous sisters in English history. Portman plays Anne, the smart and headstrong sister, while Johansson plays Mary, the shy and often looked over younger sister (according to this film, at least). Portman is extremely strong in this movie, in almost every scene she is the strongest presence whatever room she’s in. Eric Bana plays King Henry, but outside of a couple of scenes (one of which where he’s alone and furious with Portman in her room), it feels like he is completely overshadowed.

Two other strong performances come from Kristin Scott Thomas (The mother of the famous Boleyn girls) and David Morrissey (The Duke of Norfolk, patriarch and uncle to the Boleyn girls). There is one scene in particular, where Anne is being lectured to by her mother and Thomas‘ monologue about women’s power over men is wonderfully performed.

I know it’s early in the year, but as of now, my favorite performance of 2008 is Natalie Portman as the strong and complicated Anne Boleyn.

Thanks to Elstree Film Studios for the top pic and to EDU’s Worthless Blog for the second pic.

Dany