The Other Boleyn Girl

Big budget Hollywood adaptation of the historical novel by Philippa Gregory. The story is a fictionalised account of the life of Mary Boleyn (Scarlett Johansson) who was mistress to King Henry VIII (Eric Bana) before he married her sister, Anne (Natalie Portman). Set during one of the most dramatic periods in British regal history, the narrative focuses on the relationship and rivalry between the two Boleyn girls and the power game being played by their family in which the sisters are mere pawns. When Mary is ousted in favour of Anne, she leaves the King’s Court to marry a commoner, but is compelled to return when her sister embarks on a reckless plan to try and save herself from ruin.