Appleby Film Club, October
I wasn’t particularly keen on seeing this – I’m not a fan of exaggerated historical romance featuring the Kings and Queens of England – but I enjoyed it much more than I expected.
Based on actual events, it was nevertheless a fiction, exaggerated from the known facts by the original novelist, Philippa Gregory. It told the story of Anne and Mary Boleyn, the former becoming the second wife of Henry VIII after he had an affair with younger sister Mary. It was beautifully presented, with a glorious use of colour and staging that reflected the motivations of the protagonists.
My favourite part by far was the wonderful David Morrissey with his understated and consequently all the more creepy version of the wicked uncle. Kristin Scott Thomas was also stand-out as the mother of the eponymous girls. Of the two girls, I thought Natalie Portman was mis-cast. I like her as an actress, but she didn’t meet my preconceived notions of Anne Boleyn. Her more modern, girlish style did not gel alongside Morrisey and Scott Thomas. Scarlett Johansson fared better IMO as Mary, but came across as unbelievably righteous. Eric Bana was fairly non-descript as Henry.
The story was well told, beautiful to look at, and entertaining enough to forgive the weaknesses and the historical inaccuracies. Not on my list of favourite Film Club movies, but a pleasant night out.
