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I have to confess that before seeing this movie, I had absolutely no idea that Anne Boleyn even had a sister, or that this sister had been involved with Henry VIII. A shameful gap in my education, I agree. Independently of such lack however, I quite enjoyed watching the movie which stars Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Eric Bana.
It’s the story of Anne and Mary Boleyn and their rise in English court thanks in large part to the machinations of their father and uncle, the latter being the influential Duke of Northumberland. In order to secure the royal favor, first Anne, then Mary are offered up to King Henry, who was desperate to have an heir. Unfortunately, as all history books do point out, things do not go well for the Boleyns and Anne ends up dead for all their trouble and scheming. Things go a little better for Mary who ends up happily married and retired in the country.
The best part of this movie is probably Natalie Portman’s inspired and fiery performance. Her Anne is scheming, forceful and completely seductive. It is little wonder that the English king was so smitten with her. Portman does a great job playing Anne, with her mobile face reflecting her every mood and scheme. In contrast, Johansson’s Mary is a much more docile creature, with a kind of pale sweetness that offers a striking contrast to Anne. I think of the three principal actors however, Eric Bana is woefully miscast as Henry. While Bana does a good job stomping about and being king, there is something less than convincing about his performance. Or it could be that I just can’t help but remember his turn as the Incredibly Hulk.