Iffy for 14+
Lush historical drama is engrossing but mature.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this historical romance/drama deals with mature themes like adultery, betrayal, and even incest. Still, there's a balance here: Characters who appear to value material comforts and power get their comeuppance, while those who display humility and conduct themselves with an inner compass appear to be spared. Although there are a number of implied sex acts and much discussion of adultery, surprisingly little is actually shown.
- Families can talk about the accuracy of movies based on actual events. Do you think most historical movies are true to what actually happened? How can you find out? If a film does fudge the historical facts, how do you feel about that as a viewer? In general, is history a good source of inspiration? Families can also discuss the relationship between Anne and Mary. Why did two seemingly close sisters drift apart? Are they depicted as caricatures -- one bad, one good -- or are they fully formed characters?
The good stuff
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Messages: Men and women commit adultery, scheme to get power, and trade sexual favors. Family members betray each other, people are killed (often for muddled reasons). That said, there appears to be a strong bond between the two sisters, and there's an underlying message of forgiveness.
What to watch for
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Violence: Loud fights between couples (a woman slaps a man, for example), verbal confrontations, two beheadings (the actual act isn't shown, but in one scene, a bird's-eye view from far above shows a head next to a body), and a rape scene (not graphic, but the act is clearly implied).
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Sex: A couple is shown passionately kissing while presumably naked (the shot is close-up, so breasts and genitals aren't visible); a wife beds down with her husband while both are wearing nightgowns; a brother and sister discuss being physically intimate with each other; lots of talk of taking a mistress.
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Language: Nothing really stronger than "whore," though the insults are biting.
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some drinking at festivities.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Must go, really!!! by daisy334
It's a really good movie but no "Pride and Prejudice" Im sorry this movie was about lust not love. I did not feel the love and the desperation for two hearts to join as one. It was more on who will win, and who will gain more.
Two sisters fighting over a man is beyond me. This movie should be rated R.
BUT.....
Bottom line....Performance and acting was great. I was a bit desapointed at the writtersfor leaving parts off from the book. I understand he/she has to make it interesting and give it some action, but realize that most of your audience are women, and we want the drama.
The book is one of my favorites. This movie overall was in one word, spectacular. Great casting, and great acting.
Moving, heart racing, sad, and leaves you thinking.
Makes you care of what you love most, you don't find good movies like this these days.
I hope to see more from this director. Next time though a romance like pride and prejudice.
SHOULD BE AN OSCAR WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3
The other Boleyn Girl- not that great by kellcaba
This movie was fine but it didn't have the effect i thought it would have had. I read the book and when i watched the movie, i was totally dissapointed. It wasn't like i had read. The acting was good, natalie portman and scarlett johanson did a very fine job in portraying the two girls, their tempermants. This movie is definatly a rental
4
The Other Boleyn Girl by Princez
This movie has been getting bashed since it came out, mostly for the fact that it wasn't as amazing as people thought it would be. Well let me first say that yes this movie is not the BEST movie either one of the three main actors (yes i know they're actresses but both males and females are actors) has done but even so was not the worst. The story is not completely historically accurate and does drag on in some places. *Just a footnote but if your someone who was disgusted by this movie because of the way the women were sexually, than apparently you need to learn more about your history on how females were treated before the year you were born and now. The movie has a great plot to it and has Amazing settings in my opinion, the customs were excellent and the sex scenes were moderate, no real nudity at all. So overall the movie comes with three amazing actors who do good jobs (don't raise your expectations to their other best works), and a film which is entertaining.
3
good, not great. by rosettamarie
I never read the book, but I feel like this is definitely one of those instances in which the book is much more fulfilling than its accompanying film. The movie progresses much too quickly (and I know my Henry VIII history, so it's not as if I didn't understand it), causing the scenes to feel rushed and incomplete. The movie plays out like an over-acted soap opera and really only garners some true interest within the last twenty minutes. The final scenes are powerful, but overall no character development is achieved, especially with regard to the king himself. Natalie Portman acts as a great conniving but vulnerable Anne Boleyn; on the other hand, Scarlett Johannson simply does not measure up to her costar's standards. Though impressed by th visual aspect of the film (costuming and scenery were lovely), I was bored throughout most of the movie because I had expected a complete and expertly dramatic period piece and was rather disappointed.
4
Tasteful. Brilliant. by IslandGirl055
I watched the movie knowing little about the history (king and queen wise) of England. My friend (knowing a lot about it) would say what would happen before it did in the movie. I found that rather annoying, but needless to say that the movie is done brilliantly. For someone not knowing background info. it was easy to follow, and moreover had me on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what would happen next.
The costumes and scenery were beautiful, and the acting was very good. This film is very captivating. I would suggest it to anyone (history buff or not) but wouldn't deem it suitable for young teens, as there are sexual scenes (although tasteful done) and some violence.
Also, Jim Sturgess (Jude from Across the Universe) is in the movie as well. That was a pleasant surprize!!
4
Awesome historical film! by cheryl21
The craziest part of this movie was that a lot was based on historical fact. It's life or death for these woman. Seduction of the king is everything, and these girls father is willing to risk anything. Women are seen as pawns to get to the king. When no one has these girls best interest at heart, the two sisters are pitted against each other as they fight for the affection of King Henry.
The movie follows the real lives of these men and women but the film writer fills in their interpretation of what could have happened between the sisters and King Henry. I believe that it's awesome that the author kept the beginning and ending mostly to true events, however the movie did drag a bit. The acting was awesome. 4/5 stars
4
The Other Boelyn Girl by finest101
This film proves that any information beyond what's in the image usually distorts the viewer's ability to see the work objectively. There is a lot of history doucmenting the reign of Henry VIII, but none of it is useful to the enjoyment of this film. The critics, who know every bit of the history here, have panned this movie for its deviation from the historical record. What they have failed to perceive is how refreshing and entertaining it is to be freed from the tyrrany of historical accuracy and focus instead on the fact that it is a work of fiction in which power of greed subverts the judgement of the greedy, an indis****ble fact. Strategic blunders are made by the strategists, and a wonderful thing happens that sometimes occurs in film but always in life: the strategists are destroyed by their failure to perceive and account for unforseen defects in their strategies. Don't read the book, and go see this movie for the challenging work of art, fiction, and human nature that it is.
5
Sibling Rivalry at Its Best by sunnyforever
I love Eric Bana. I love Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson. I loved them all in this movie of intrigue and villainy. Made for a mature audience, this histo-drama is set in the courts of England during the volatile time of King Henry VIII and his search for a male heir. As the movie establishes its backdrop, the movie is slow. As this well written and witty drama unfolds the movie picks up much speed.
Directors and writers of today should take note at how tantalizing, sensual and organzic a PG13 movie can be. Sans the slush and slime of today?s R Rated love scenes, this movie stopped short of frontal and glory, but came across with much more sensual value. The one minus for me was the cinematographer?s constant choice of natural lighting in the background to cast darkness in the foreground to give the frames a Rembrandt look. It annoyed me that in some frames I really had to strain to see the characters.
4
Exactly what I expected by EmmiePie
This hit the spot. I was really into a kings and queens olden day movie and this brought me just that. Go watch it!
3
Expected Better by Elzregina
I am a Tudor history fan however I am not a stickler for historical accuracy when it comes to this type of movie. I try to enjoy them for what they are...entertainment. The costuming was fabulous, the characters were portrayed well. But I can't help but feel that so much was left out in order to squeeze the history of Mary Boleyn into a 2 hour movie.
I do appreciate that the speech of Katherine of Aragon before the court and directed to Henry, as well as the one that Anne made prior to her execution were nearly verbatim.
Would I see it again? Only if someone else paid for it. I'll probably buy the movie only to add it to my collection.