The Other Boleyn Girl, directed in 2008 by Justin Chadwick, is a heartbreaking film, based on a novel by Philippa Gregory in 2003.

The movie is filled with romance and betrayal. It is set in 16th century in England and is a fictionalized account of the aristocrats Mary Boleyn and her sister, Anne.

King Henry VIII and his wife, Katherine of Aragon were having marital problems because she had not been able to produce a male heir. He summoned the Boleyn family, the sisters and their brother, George, as well as their parents. They plan for Anne to become the King’s mistress, but he has eyes on the more innocent sister, Mary, despite her already being married to William Carey. In the movie, the two sisters contend for the affection of King Henry VIII.

I found the movie to be hard to keep up with at certain times as well as difficult to pay attention to. I also don’t really enjoy the historical aspect of the movie, but I did enjoy the drama.

The movie had two great actresses; Scarlett Johansson who played Mary Boleyn, and Natalie Portman who played Anne Boleyn.

Overall, I give the movie a 6/10 for it being difficult for me to keep up with. The movie was also very sad.