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COMING SOON
NOW SHOWING
Unless otherwise noted, films begin on Friday and run through the next Thursday.
 May 9-15
The Other Boleyn Girl
Rated PG-13 for sexual situations and some violent images
115 minutes
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Based on the novel by Philippa Gregory, director Justin Chadwick’s depiction of how King Henry VIII’s affections were divided between sisters Anne and Mary Boleyn is as far removed from the traditional Masterpiece Theatre evocation of British history and royal intrigue as it’s possible to get. The casting gives a clue of Chadwick’s direction: Eric Bana is a decidedly sexier Henry VIII than Charles Laughton, and the comparable charms of Natalie Portman (Anne) and Scarlett Johansson (Mary) make the king’s indecision readily understandable. The emphasis is on sex appeal, which is fair because, let’s be honest, sex played a major role in this “historical event.” There’s nothing stodgy or stilted about this story of a classic romantic triangle, but The Other Boleyn Girl is nonetheless as intelligent, droll, and dramatic a film as any filmgoer could wish. Peter Morgan, who helped introduce a couple of terrific actors to their first Oscars with his screenplays for The Queen and The Last King of Scotland, lends his considerable talent for crafting smart, fast-paced, entertaining stories to this adaptation of Gregory’s bestseller. Although none of the three leads are English, their accents are impeccable and their performances astounding, showing depths of talent that they’ve not often had a chance to display. All of the actors bring a fresh, slightly offbeat sensibility to these oft-portrayed historical figures: Bana makes a much more thoughtful, humane Henry than we’ve seen before; Johansson is sympathetic and heart-rending as the “other” Boleyn girl; and Portman’s ferocious, calculating Anne Boleyn is certainly no martyr. The Other Boleyn Girl is not revisionist history so much as it is a good dusting off of the musty, oft-told tale. No, it probably didn’t happen just like this, but it makes a great movie, the same way that Hollywood films of the Golden Age often took liberties with historical accuracy but made great movies just the same. And Chadwick’s lively romance is quite effective in exploring the human drama buried beneath dry historical events. As human drama, it’s as persuasive, insightful, and well-acted as any film can be. Much like The Queen, this film actually pays greater homage to its royal personages by revealing their foibles and idiosyncracies rather than making somber waxworks of them. Though unashamedly passionate, The Other Boleyn Girl is not frivolous: everyone who remembers their English history already knows that there is tragedy at the heart of this story. But the film is so strongly written and acted that the story remains absolutely entrancing, and movie lovers will appreciate the strong presence of an increasingly rare cinematic quality called “chemistry.” It’s there between Eric Bana and Natalie Portman, and definitely between Bana and Scarlett Johansson, and it’s one of the reasons movies used to be made.
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| The year-long 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Art Center Cinema culminated on March 31 with dinner at Martinelli's followed by the unveiling of the film voted as the favorite shown at the Cinema in its 10 year history, Little Miss Sunshine. |
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