The Boleyn Girls and Eric Bana

… having no action or sci-fi film in possession at this time, i’ve opted for a double-billing of two young actresses in the film The Other Boleyn Girl (TOBG): Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson. (Alert! there will be spoilers ahead!). But before we proceed, I would like to give tribute to http://www.wikipedia.org. it’s a damn good resource despite what my professor* thinks. furthermore, this isn’t a review per se but a extended discussion or a commentary on what turned out to be a fine film (fine by my standards, of course!)

This period in history has its many representations (and interpretations) especially in hollywood - but where most films would take henry viii to be their main focus (and by default elaborate further on his marital affairs), The Other Boleyn Girl is a Girl-driven movie.

Sure the plots were cooked-up by the dukes of norfolk (yes! sir thomas boleyn is also a duke of norfolk, by virtue of his marriage to the daughter of the duke, lady elizabeth, the boleyn girls’ mother), but all it does is set into motion, an ambitious plan to win the king and earn for their family a future bright and prosperous.

The particulars as to why they dreamed up of a complicated plot of advancement in the first place, lies in the unhappy circumstances of queen catherine of aragon - henry viii’s wife. having produced no male heir, the king began taking to mistresses. it would be very easy to dismiss his concerns in this modern age (hey! forgodssake you already have a child! what more can you ask!), but we must remember, not a lot has passed since the war of the roses (civil war) and the king fears the spectre of another war should his kingdom tear itself apart when a successor is not found. catherine’s other children do not survive into adulthood. others died during childbirth (stillborn).

One might say the story’s seed came from a little-known rumour (or fact?) that mary boleyn was once, a mistress of henry. there are speculations that one of the two children born to her is henry’s. history tells us that mary’s son is named henry(!?!!?). her reasons for doing so are lost to time — but it could simply be: it is a good name for a boy. in the film, we are led to believe that the child is in fact, henry viii’s.

it wouldn’t be a complete drama if it weren’t for conflict — according to TOBG, anne boleyn was given the challenge of winning the king’s favor. early in the film, anne’s attempt was botched when the king was hurt in an accident during a hunt (here, stafford remarks that it is actually his pride that is in more pain than anything else). while recovering, mary was asked to tend to his wounds. when the king unexpectedly warms to her and demands that she be present at court, it did not sit well with anne (who is later exiled to france for her actions, having already lost some favor after her involvement in the king’s accident…). she accuses mary of seducing the king at her expense — tensions between the sisters began.

the bolyens arrive in court and are introduced to queen catherine. they are given special privileges and quarterns. what follows next is the usual hollywood fanfare regarding bedroom drama where some elusive elements of human nature are exposed. soon enough mary is found to be with child. the king is happy. mary is happy. the other boleyns are happy — but anne in france is not (or so, i think) — end of part 1.

Mary returns from france, a sophisticated woman (!??! whatever that means). this change does not go unnoticed by the king who apparently, cannot be trusted to restrain himself. (on the other hand, mary’s child is not yet born, so i suppose, henry can be forgiven if he is still uneasy over his succession problem). his advances(!!!?!) to anne is continually rebuffed which drives him further and deeper into attraction.

At the climax of film — while…. (XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX sorry, this scene too pivotal to be spoiled here — you, dear reader, can at least have that pleasure.)

end of part 2.

(to be continued… amso dead tired)

Research Meeting in T-17.5 hrs