Chopper

Written and directed by Andrew Dominik, Chopper is the story about the life of notorious Australian criminal Mark Brandon “Chopper” Read and his exploits as a criminal. The film is an exploration into the life of a criminal as he’s played by Eric Bana. Also starring Simon Lyndon, Kate Beahan, and David Field. Chopper is a gritty yet fascinating film from Andrew Dominik.

It’s the late 1970s as Chopper Read is in prison still serving a sentence for kidnapping a supreme court judge in an attempt to get his friend Jimmy Loughnan (Simon Lydon) out of the maximum security Pentridge Prison. Serving at the notorious H division, Read manages to become notorious as he becomes the division leader but he ends up gaining more enemies than friends where Loughnan tries to stab him to death as a way to restore balance. Instead, Read survives as he later has his ears cut off by an inmate to be transferred where he is eventually released in 1986. Upon his return to the real world, Read isn’t sure how to deal with the new changes as he deals with old friends and old enemies where he’s not sure who to trust.

At a club with his old girlfriend Tanya (Kate Beahan), Read encounters one of his old victim in Neville Bartos (Vince Colosimo) who has now become a major crime figure. Read becomes uneasy about Bartos as he suspects that Tanya is having an affair with him as he goes to Bartos’ home to confront him as it leads to all sorts of trouble. A hit is then put on Read as he learns that Loughnan has already been released in prison as he later confronts him as Loughnan claims he has no idea who is putting the hit on Read. Yet, another attempt to kill him only makes Read far more notorious as he returns to prison more infamous than ever.

The film is essentially a loose story about the life of Chopper Read and his notorious exploits based on his books that recalled many of actions as a criminal. Largely as it is set from the late 1970s to the early 1990s as he becomes infamous but also a cult figure where he would become a best-selling author. A lot of it is told from his perspective as he talks to crime bosses and later a film crew as the film begins with himself and a couple of guards watching him on TV. The film’s screenplay does admit that it took a lot of dramatic liberties to help tell the story yet it is to explore who Chopper Read is as he’s a man that is very brutish but also sensitive as he’s willing to show concern for his victims. Yet, there’s also something sympathetic about him when he’s out of prison as he doesn’t know who to trust while he’s being looked on as irrelevant to some that forces him to do things to get his name back.

Andrew Dominik’s direction is definitely stylized in terms of its look as he goes for a very low-key, grainy film stock to maintain the sense of grittiness in the film. Notably as he maintains an air of intimacy with his camera work to showcase what kind of man Chopper Read is as well as his surroundings. In prison, there is something that feels more lively where Chopper can do whatever. Even if he’s confined to a cell as he seems to enjoy himself no matter how lonely he is. When he’s outside of prison, things are confusing where he has no idea what to do or who to turn to. He doesn’t trust anyone at all and those who were his friends are also untrustworthy as the direction itself is unsettling and unpredictable in its framing. There’s a sense of what Chopper might do as he does do things that are reprehensible and also makes him unsympathetic at times. Even as Dominik would recreate a few scenes to see how Chopper can talk his way out of it. Overall, Dominik creates a film that is uncompromising but also engaging about the life of a notorious yet charming criminal.

Cinematographers Geoffrey Hall and Kevin Hayward do amazing work with the film‘s very colorful yet grimy look of the film where it has an air of grain to showcase its grittiness as well as in scenes in night and at the nightclubs where it‘s very stylized to play out the mood of the film. Editor Ken Sallows does great work in the editing by playing up the sense of the action that occurs with some stylish fast-cuts and some unique montages to showcase how some moments are played out in different ways. Production designer Paddy Reardon, along with art directors Ben Bauer and Jeffrey Thorp, does terrific work with the look of the prison that Chopper lives in to the Bojangles club that he goes to where he would have one of his famous incidents.

Costume designer Terry Ryan does nice work with the costumes from the prison uniforms that Chopper wears to the more outdated 70s clothing that he arrives at the outside world where he feels completely out of place with everyone else. Sound designer Frank Lipson does wonderful work with the sound to capture the intimacy of the prisons as well as the chaos in the club scenes. The film’s music by Mick Harvey is superb for its low-key yet eerie ambient score to play out the drama that occurs throughout the film. Music supervisor Jackie Dennis creates a marvelous soundtrack that features all sorts of music from the Birthday Party, Rose Tattoo, Frankie Laine, Chain, Renee Geyer, Cold Chisel, The Saints, and the Loved Ones.

The casting by Gregory Apps is brilliant for the ensemble that is created as it features some standout performances from Dan Wyllie as one of Chopper’s prison friends in Bluey, David Field as the rival convict Keith George, Serge Liistro as the famed hitman Sammy the Turk, and Renee Brack as the TV reporter who interviews Chopper. Kate Beahan is wonderful as Chopper’s old prostitute girlfriend Tanya who doesn’t really know how to deal with Chopper’s alienation. Vince Colosimo is excellent as a former of victim of Chopper who has now become a top crime figure only to get himself into trouble with Chopper. Simon Lydon is superb as Jimmy Loughnan who tries to get rid of Chopper only for things to go wrong and his own fortunes going into a downward spiral as he is later confronted by a freed Chopper.

Finally, there’s Eric Bana in a truly outstanding performance as Mark Brandon “Chopper” Read. Filled with lots of charisma, a brutish physicality, and a sensitivity, it’s truly a performance that no one will forget as Bana brings the man to life in every way. Even as he is someone who knows he is flawed and at times quite despicable. Yet, it adds to the complexity of the character where Bana just allows the character to just be who he is without any compromise.

Chopper is a remarkable film from Andrew Dominik that features an incredible performance from Eric Bana. The film is definitely an interesting look into the life of a criminal that refuses to be pegged or be forgotten while taking in all of the infamy that he craves for. While it’s not an easy film to watch at times while it also has a look that is very dark. It truly plays to who this man is and why there’s people who are fond of him. In the end, Chopper is a marvelous film from Andrew Dominik.

Andrew Dominik Films: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - Killing Them Softly - One More Time with Feeling - This Much I Know to Be True - Blonde (2022 film)

© thevoid99 2012

Hulk

Based on the Marvel comic by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Hulk is the story of a scientist who turns into a huge, green monster whenever he gets angry as he fights off various enemies while wanting to calm the beast from within. Directed by Ang Lee and screenplay by James Schamus, Michael France, and John Turman, that is based on a story by James Schamus. The film is an origin story of how Bruce Banner became the Incredible Hulk as well as his troubled relationship with his father David. Starring Eric Bana, Jennifer Connelly, Sam Elliot, Josh Lucas, Celia Weston, Cara Buono, and Nick Nolte. Hulk is a dazzling and stylish comic-book action-drama from Ang Lee.

Bruce Banner (Eric Bana) is a young scientist working at Berkeley as he and ex-girlfriend Betty Ross (Jennifer Connelly) are experimenting with regeneration. Though the experiments are still a work in progress, it gets the attention of Major Glenn Talbot (Josh Lucas) who wants the two to work on the experiments for military reasons. Bruce refuses as an accident during a test has him save a scientist only to be exposed to gamma radiation. Though Bruce seems fine, he starts to have nightmares of strange images that he thinks are from a distant memory as a strange man (Nick Nolte) enters his room claiming to be his real father David. The encounter has Bruce unsure of who he is as the effects of the radiation has him dealing with his own emotions leading to him growing into a big monster.

After Betty learns what happens to Bruce, the incident gets the attention of her father in General Ross (Sam Elliot) who realizes what is happening. Wanting Betty to stay away from Bruce, things go bad when David sends his newly-mutated dogs to go after Betty until Bruce as this new monster saves her. Despite having little recollections about what happens to him as this monster, Bruce reveals to Betty about what it’s like as he’s later captured via tranquilizer by Betty’s father. Taken to a secret base, Bruce learns about his past as General Ross reveals that Bruce’s father conducted an experiment over mutating DNA that could heal wounds and injuries that later went out of control. Yet, David would experiment on himself as it was passed on to Bruce after his birth where things seemed fine. Yet, General Ross learns about the dangerous experiment where things go bad as it led all sorts of trouble.

After Bruce and Betty learn about what had happened those years ago, General Ross wants to do things right until an injured Talbot decides to take control in his desire to experiment on Bruce. With General Ross unable to take control and Betty forced to leave the secret lab, she later meets with David Banner who reveals what he had done as he asks to see Bruce one more time. Instead, Talbot’s attempt to experiment on Bruce goes wrong as the Hulk emerges once again to wreak havoc forcing General Ross and his soldiers to fight. Still, Bruce would later have another surprise in store for him from the man who created him.

The film is essentially an origin story of how Bruce Banner became the Incredible Hulk. Yet, it’s told in a very different style than most comic-book related pictures are presented as the film opens with a prologue of how David Banner created this experiment on mutant DNA regeneration and then pass it on to his son back in the early 1960s. Things eventually go wrong with the military authorities as it would lead to a young Bruce Banner losing his parents at an early age until he becomes a man who is unsure of his past only to discover who he really is and why he could be a threat.

Screenwriters James Schamus, Michael France, and John Turman explore Bruce Banner as a man who starts off as this calm and intelligent scientist that feels haunted by these dreams that he believes are from a distant memory. He’s also someone who doesn’t want to be involved in any kind of confrontation. He’s also a man that has a lot to give as he’s very close with his ex-girlfriend Betty who knows him better than anyone. Even as he becomes the Hulk, she is the one person that can get him to calm down and make him human again. Supporting characters like Betty Ross and her father do have depth as the latter expresses regret over how he handled things in his professional career as well as the estranged relationship he has with Betty.

The one character that adds to Bruce’s own internal conflict is his mysterious father David who is seen as this brilliant scientist who becomes paranoid and fearful over what Bruce might’ve become. Yet, he is later re-introduced as a haggard janitor wanting to finish the experiment he felt he hadn’t come close to finishing. The father-son dynamic of the film, which is a prominent theme to Ang Lee’s earlier work, adds to a dramatic layer rarely told in comic-book based action-blockbusters. It’s a unique element to the film that is well-executed until the third act where things become a bit ridiculous as it would also include a lot of exposition over the events that happened in the film’s prologue.

Ang Lee’s direction is definitely told in a stylish manner as if he wanted to create a cinematic comic book. Featuring arrays of multiple split-screens and dazzling editing styles, Lee aimed what he was looking for to play up some of the film’s action and intense dramatic moments. Yet, there’s parts of these montages that tend to overwhelm the story a bit though it’s part of the spirit Lee wanted to create a live-action comic book. While there’s lots of amazing compositions and styles in the way he will shoot scenes from multiple angles to play up the dramatic tension. Notably as he wants to emphasize on objects or things that will help build up the suspense.

For some of the film’s intense action moments that involve the Hulk, Lee goes for a lot of big scenes with wide depth of field shots set in parts of Utah and Arizona for Hulk’s chase scene. While some of the visual effects do look a bit wobbly, there is still an impressive element to the way they look as Hulk would fight off all sorts of things in the film. Including some of the fights with the exception of the film’s ridiculous climax between Bruce and David Banner. Despite some of the film’s flaws, Ang Lee does manage to create an engaging film that does more than what it is expected in its genre.

Cinematographer Frederick Elmes does excellent work with the film‘s very vibrant and colorful cinematography to play up the different locations of the film while setting dark colors for some of the film‘s nighttime interior and exterior scenes. Editor Tim Squyers does amazing work with the film‘s unique editing to play up varying cutting styles that manages to keep the film‘s brisk pace very while creating some wonderful montages for some of the film‘s dramatic and action moments. Production designer Rick Heinrichs, with art directors John Dexter and Greg Papalia and set decorator Cheryl Carasik, does nice work with the set pieces such as the secret lab that Ross runs to the old 60s home that the young Bruce lived in as a kid.

Costume designer Marit Allen does very good work with the costumes from the nerdy look that Bruce Banner has to the more haggard clothing of David Banner. Visual effects supervisors Dennis Muren and Bruce Holcomb do terrific work with the look of the Hulk, despite some flaws, to capture the hugeness of the monster. Sound designers Eugene Gearty and Gary Rydstrom, along with sound editor Richard Hymns, do superb work with the sound to capture the intensity of the Hulk‘s growls as well as the explosions and other sound effects to play up Banner‘s transformation into the Hulk. The film’s score by Danny Elfman is pretty good for its bombastic orchestral score that features elements Indian vocals in the mix to make it feel different while the soundtrack includes a song by Velvet Revolver in the film’s closing credits.

The casting by Avy Kaufman and Franklyn Warren is brilliant for the ensemble that is created as it includes small appearances from Paul Kersey as the young David Banner, Todd Tesen as the young Ross, Mike Erwin as the teenage Bruce, Rhiannon Leigh Wryn as the adolescent Betty, Michael and David Kronenberg as the young Bruce, Kevin Rankin as Bruce and Betty’s scientist friend Harper, Celia Weston as Bruce’s stepmother, Cara Buono as Bruce’s real mother in the film’s prologue, and as a couple of security guards early in the film, Stan Lee and the original Hulk in Lou Ferrigno, who also does the voice for the Hulk. Josh Lucas is terrible as the villainous Talbot as Lucas does nothing to a very typical villain as he ends up looking very smug and tries to be intimidating only for him to end up being a complete moron.

Sam Elliot is excellent as General Ross as a man that wants to keep Bruce under control in hopes to not the same mistakes that he did years ago though he has issues trying to do what is right as he is estranged from his daughter. Nick Nolte is pretty good as the mysterious David Banner who tries to help Bruce in finding a cure only to have regrets as it’s a very intense one from Nolte though he goes over-the-top late in the film. Jennifer Connelly is quite fine in her role as Betty Ross as she does present as the emotional calm for Bruce though her character at times is a bit underwritten. Finally, there’s Eric Bana as Bruce Banner where Bana definitely gets to show the conflict in Banner as well as a man who is consumed by fear only to give in to the anger as the Incredible Hulk where Bana manages to create a very compelling performance.

Though it’s flawed in terms of its presentation, Hulk is still an entertaining film from Ang Lee thanks in part to Eric Bana’s reserved performance. While it’s not one of the great films of the comic book origin films nor among one of Lee’s best work. It is still a film worth seeing for the way Lee chooses to present the film that does make it stand out from the rest. In the end, Hulk is a fun action-drama from Ang Lee.

Ang Lee Films: Pushing Hands - The Wedding Banquet - Eat Drink Man Woman - Sense & Sensibility (1995 film) - The Ice Storm - Ride with the Devil - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - The Hire: Chosen - Brokeback Mountain - Lust, Caution - Taking Woodstock - Life of Pi - Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk - The Auteurs #19: Ang Lee

Related: Iron Man - The Incredible Hulk - Iron Man 2 - Thor - Captain America: The First Avenger - The Avengers (2012 film)

© thevoid99 2012

Hanna

While 2005’s adaptation of Pride & Prejudice and 2007’s Atonement made Joe Wright one of the hottest rising British directors. He went to America in 2008 to helm The Soloist with Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx. The film was delayed and pushed to an early 2009 release. Disappointing box office and lukewarm reviews hurt the film as it was also Wright’s most expensive at $60 million only drawing half of its budget through its worldwide box office gross. After some time off, Wright returns to Europe as he also decides to take on a different genre for a cat-and-mouse revenge thriller simply called Hanna.

Directed by Joe Wright with a story by Seth Lochhead and screenplay by Lochhead and David Farr. Hanna tells the story of a young girl who lives alone in the forest with her father as he trains her to be an assassin. When he takes a leave to Berlin, she is finally captured by the CIA where a corrupt agent goes after her following an escape. A change of pace from Wright’s previous period-drama films, Wright reunites with his Atonement co-star Saoirse Ronan who plays the title character as they go for a different kind of action film. Also starring Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett, Olivia Williams, Jason Flemyng, Jessica Barden, and Wright regular Tom Hollander. Hanna is a thrilling yet exciting action-suspense film from Joe Wright and company.

Living alone in a forest, Hanna has been taught by her father Erik Heller (Eric Bana) to kill and fight for her own survival. Erik also teaches his 16-year old daughter different languages though she is still curious about who she is and the world outside as she has no idea about what music is and such rather in their definitions. On a particular day, Erik brings a transmitter as it would reveal their location to the woman who killed Hanna’s mother (Vicky Krieps) named Marissa Wiegler (Cate Blanchett). Hanna turns on the transmitter while Erik leaves to go to Berlin as he hopes to meet her later.

Hanna is eventually captured by Wiegler’s associates as she is interrogated by a decoy (Michelle Dockery). Instead, Hanna deposes the decoy and other soldiers as she escapes the high-tech prison as she learns she is in Morocco after being found by a young girl named Sophie (Jessica Barden) who is traveling with her family. Hanna eventually catches up with Sophie and her family as she hides in their van as she finds herself introduced to a world that is very different from what she knows. Marissa meanwhile, goes on the hunt for Erik Heller as she also hires a mercenary named Issacs (Tom Hollander) to find Hanna.

With Hanna traveling with Sophie, her little brother Miles (Aldo Maland), and their parents (Jason Flemyng and Olivia Williams). Hanna finds herself drawn to them as she finds her first real friend in Sophie but wondering about the mysterious presence of Issacs. With Hanna wanting to go to Berlin as Sophie’s parents help her, Hanna sees Issacs as she tries to get them away from Sophie and her family. After evading Issacs, she travels to Berlin to find her father as the address that Erik has given her leads her to a home owned by a man named Mr. Grimm. While Hanna wonders about her own identity based on a DNA sheet that she took from the prison, she learns who she is as she confronts her father and eventually, Marissa.

The film is about this young girl who for all of her life has been trained to be an assassin of sorts while living with her father somewhere in the middle of a forest. She’s trained to become a super-soldier while every word she’s taught is only by its actual definition. The only idea of love that she has is in a picture of her mother and a book of fairy tales by the Grimm Brothers. Upon her capture and escape, Hanna is introduced to the real world where it’s different from everything she’s known. When she meets Sophie and her family, she gets a look of what family life is along with what music is and what it’s like to kiss someone.

There is something very innocent in a girl like Hanna who is just curious about this new world she’s in and when she’s confronted by people who want to get rid of her. She finds a reason to protect this new family she finds herself being accustomed to and learns to care for them. Even as she tries to find something about herself while wondering why this woman named Marissa is going after her and her father.

Eventually, there is a reason why Marissa is going after Hanna and Erik as she is a woman that is a corrupt CIA agent has a very sick demeanor. From the way she brushes her teeth to the shoes she wants to wear as she is kind of a traditional fairy tale villain. Then there’s Erik Heller who is a guy that is just wanting to protect Hanna from Marissa and her henchmen. Yet, he is also someone carrying a secret about Hanna and who she is.

Screenwriters David Farr and Seth Lochhead do a great job with character study on Hanna and Erik though the character of Marissa isn’t as developed. Yet, there isn’t a need since she is a slimy villain. Even as they use flashback for what Marissa did the night Hanna’s mother died. The screenplay definitely does an excellent job in mixing character study, action, drama, and also comedy. Even as it features moments that is very natural with the humor being strange but natural to who Hanna is.

Joe Wright’s direction is definitely marvelous as he definitely goes for a stylistic approach to the action where he does go into convention but also play along with it. Notably a great tracking shot that follows Erik from a bus to a subway where he’s followed and surrounded by men into a fight scene that is all in one take. Even as he has the action play to rhythms and such while creating great compositions to the confrontation scenes and action sequences. For the rest of the film including for the dramatic scenes in Morocco and Spain, it’s straightforward but also engaging since it’s shown from Hanna’s perspective.

Even as she is hiding in the van where she watches Sophie and her family singing David Bowie’s Kooks from Hunky Dory. There’s also some great humor to the film as includes a scene where Hanna and Sophie are hanging around with boys as a boy is trying to get closer to Hanna hoping to kiss her. It’s a very simple, comedic approach that recalls the era of silent films it plays off natural to the awkwardness of it. While all of the action stuff that happens mixed in with the more character-driven study does make the film a bit uneven. Still, Joe Wright does step up his game in terms of presentation and composition as he creates what is definitely a fun action-thriller.

Cinematographer Alwin H. Kuchler does a superb job with the film‘s photography from the snowy scenes in Finland to the varied locations in Morocco, Spain, and Berlin. Kuchler’s photography definitely captures a vibrancy to each location along with interiors including a scene of Hanna in her hotel room to dark lights of the Spanish docking bay where she’s being chased by Issacs and his men. Kuchler’s work is definitely the film’s big technical highlight.

Editor Paul Tothill does an excellent job with the film’s editing from the kinetic rhythm of the action scenes while maintaining a leisured pace for the more dramatic moments. Tothill’s cutting is straightforward while doesn’t lag in its pacing while continuing to keep up with the suspenseful tone of the film.

Production designer Sarah Greenwood, along with set decorator Katie Spencer and art director Niall Moroney, does a wonderful job with the set designs that includes the cabin home that Erik and Hanna lives to the slick world that Marissa lives in. Even as the real highlight of the art direction is Mr. Grimm’s home that is filled with lights and such as it’s definitely plays up to Hanna’s childlike fascination. Costume designer Lucie Bates does a very good job with the costumes from the rugged clothes that Erik and Hanna wear early to the slick, business-like suits that Marissa wears. Even to the bohemian-like clothes that Sophie’s parents wear as the costumes play up to Hanna’s growing curiosity with the world.

Sound designers Craig Berkey and Christopher Scarabosio do a phenomenal job with the sound work from the sparse world of the cold forest to the chaos in the cities and places that Hanna encounters. Particularly with the technology that Marissa surrounds herself with to communicate with other officials along with the intimacy in her world which is very cold.

The film’s score by the Chemical Brothers is a hypnotic yet frenetic score with its array of electronic textures and intense beats. Featuring some great themes that plays up to Hanna’s innocence as well as Marissa’s demeanor, the Chemical Brothers’ score is definitely a real highlight of the film. Even as the soundtrack includes pieces of flamenco, Eastern music, and pop music including David Bowie’s Kooks.

The casting by Jina Jay is amazing for its array of memorable appearances from actors (whose names can’t be found) for roles such as Hanna’s grandmother and the whimsical Mr. Grimm. Other notable small roles include John MacMillan as Marissa’s colleague Lewis, Michelle Dockery as the fake Marissa, Mohamed Majd as a hotel owner in Morocco, and Vicky Krieps in flashback scenes as Hanna’s mother. Aldo Maland is very good as Sophie’s little brother Miles while Jason Flemyng is also good as Sophie’s dad. Olivia Williams is excellent as Sophie’s mother who helps Hanna while being a bit of the lost maternal figure that Hanna never had.

Jessica Barden is superb as Sophie, a teenage girl who befriends Hanna as she helps introduce to a new world while being a bit snotty towards her parents over their bohemian lifestyle. Tom Hollander is great as Issacs, a slimy mercenary who can be a badass but also play it cool from the clothes he wears to his slick blond hair. Eric Bana is brilliant as Erik Heller, Hanna’s father who tries to prepare for a world where she’s chased as he is also a man that can kick ass but also has a warm side to him. While it’s a mostly serious role from Bana, he also allows him to be funny through subtle moments as it’s a fantastic role for the actor.

Cate Blanchett is phenomenal as Marissa Wiegler, a devilish CIA official hell-bent on capturing Erik and Hanna while doing anything she can to get the job done. With Blanchett sporting a Southern accent of sorts, it’s a very stylish yet fun role that Blanchett plays as she also makes her character cool and also, kind of likeable despite how bad she is. Finally, there’s Saoirse Ronan in a magnificent performance in her role as the titular character. Ronan truly sells the idea that a little 16-year old can be a supreme badass from the stunts she does along with her combat skills. Yet, Ronan manages to balance that dangerous side with someone who has a childlike fascination with things that are new to her while showing some subtle humor to how she does things. It’s a very remarkable performance for the young actress who is definitely becoming an actress to watch out for in the years to come.

Hanna is a fun, smart, and hypnotic action-thriller from Joe Wright that features a great cast led by Saoirse Ronan along with some amazing technical work and a brilliant score by the Chemical Brothers. Audiences wanting a different kind of action film that has some conventional ideas but something more will definitely want to see this. Fans of Joe Wright will be relieved to see the young British director refining his tricks while taking on something different as he broadens his range as a storyteller. In the end, Hanna is an excellent yet entertaining film from Joe Wright.

Joe Wright Films: Pride & Prejudice (2005) - Atonement - The Soloist - Anna Karenina

© thevoid99 2011

The Other Boleyn Girl

Originally Written and Posted on 3/2/08 w/ Additional Edits.

 

In the 16th Century, Henry VIII ruled England while he was known more for having six wives during his reign. The most famous wife of them all was his second Anne Boleyn who would later be beheaded in an accusation of adultery in 1536 three years after she became queen. During those years, she gave birth to the future Queen Elizabeth I who would be raised by Anne's sister Mary. The story of Anne Boleyn was then told from another perspective by novelist Phillippa Gregory from her sister Mary in the book entitled The Other Boleyn Girl. The book was a success as it's now become a film adaptation in the same name.

The Other Boleyn Girl tells the story of Anne and Mary Boleyn's relationship as sisters until they're met by Henry VIII. When Mary is chosen over Anne, she becomes the king’s mistress until Anne gets his attention and a rivalry ensues between the two sisters. Directed by Justin Chadwick with a screenplay by Peter Morgan of The Queen fame, the film is a dramatic re-telling on one of the greatest affairs in English history. Playing the title role of Mary Boleyn is Scarlett Johansson and as Anne Boleyn, Natalie Portman. With Eric Bana in the role of Henry VIII, the film also stars Mark Rylance, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jim Sturgess, Juno Temple, and Ana Torrent. The Other Boleyn Girl is a superb though by-the-books period drama from Justin Chadwick and screenwriter Peter Morgan.

It's Mary Boleyn's wedding day as she is set to wed William Carey (Benedict Cumberbatch) with her older sister Anne and younger brother George (Jim Sturgess) watching. With their parents Sir Thomas Boleyn (Mark Rylance) and Lady Elizabeth Boleyn (Kristin Scott Thomas) watching as well, arriving to the wedding is Elizabeth's brother The Duke of Norfolk (David Morrissey) who tells Thomas news of the king's dissatisfaction with his wife Queen Katherine of Aragon (Ana Torrent), who could no longer bear children, let alone a son. With King Henry VIII losing interest in the queen, he seeks a mistress as Anne is suggested to be in the running. Though Elizabeth isn’t happy by the news, Anne reluctantly decides to take the chance in being the king's new mistress as well as a lady-in-waiting for the queen.

Henry arrives to meet the Boleyns as he catches the eye of Anne where she tries to impress with horseback riding. Unfortunately, Anne managed to get the king injured as he meets Mary who nurses him. Mary suddenly is set to become the new mistress as well as lady-in-waiting with William Carey given a position to work with the king and Duke of Norfolk. Mary reluctantly takes part as she has an encounter with the queen as she finds herself satisfying the king in many ways. Anne meanwhile, elopes with Henry Percy (Oliver Coleman) that gets her and the family in trouble as she is sent to France in exile. With George also set to be married to one of the king's lady-in-waiting in Jane Parker (Juno Temple), things look good for the Boleyns when Mary finds herself pregnant. With Mary now forced to lie in bed, Anne returns from exile as she charms the king while rejecting his gifts in order to maintain his attention towards Mary.

Mary eventually, gives birth to a boy but Anne's ambitions to have Henry's heart and such manages to have Henry ignore the newborn boy as well as Mary. Anne's charms wins over Henry with Mary now set to live in the country with her son while no longer married to William Carey. When troubles arises for Henry's desire to divorce Katherine and have Anne as his new queen, Mary returns to help Anne in her bid. When Henry makes the decision to break from the Catholic Church and form his own, he gets his divorce and Anne Boleyn becomes the new Queen of England. Yet, her plan to give birth to a son falters when she ends up giving birth to a girl named Elizabeth. When Anne makes attempts to give Henry a son, he starts to have his attention towards Jane Seymour (Corrine Galloway). Anne seeks help from Mary and George about getting a son as Mary decides she wants out. Joining her is William Stafford (Eddie Redmayne) who had long desired her as the two move to the country.

When Anne is suddenly accused of treason with George also indicted on the crime, Mary returns to London to help out her siblings. Mary makes a final plea for the king to spare her sister as the Boleyn family falls apart with the girls' mother distraught over what her husband and brother had done.

While the film doesn't have a serious approach to historical contents while not telling the audience when exactly the events in the film occurs. It does faithfully tell about Henry VIII's affairs with Anne Boleyn while taking on the perspective of Mary Boleyn. Credit goes to screenwriter Peter Morgan for delving into the film's historical approach as well as the love triangle between Henry VIII and the Boleyn sisters. While Anne Boleyn is portrayed as an ambitious, bitchy character, Mary is her opposite as a simple, shy character where the two seems to have something to offer to Henry VIII. The perspective of characters as well as the rest of the Boleyn family is wonderfully portrayed, particularly of Lady Elizabeth Boleyn who is forced to watch her daughters be treated like objects.

Director Justin Chadwick does a solid job in capturing the drama and atmosphere of the period. While nothing about the filmmaking is groundbreaking, Chadwick does deserve credit for creating a grand film that is true to the period-drama genre while delving into some amazing scenes for its drama and the tone of the times. Not everything Chadwick does is great, notably the love scenes as he emphasizes on styles that includes blurry shots that doesn't work. Chadwick falters in that while the suspense of something very dramatic that is to come lacks momentum. Still, despite its flaws, the film is a good period-drama.

Cinematographer Kieran McGuigan does an excellent job with the film's colorful tone in its exterior settings with the sunlight to convey the moods of the film. Some of the nighttime, darker scenes with elements of blue lights and shading is lovely to watch though it's not really much to get excited about. Editors Paul Knight and the legendary Carol Littleton does some wonderful work in the film's leisurely pacing while utilizing jump-cuts for some of the film’s dramatic exchanges between characters. Production designer John Paul Kelly, set decorator Sara Wan, and art director David Allday do an excellent job with the film's look of the interior homes with the look of chairs, tablecloths, and beds.

Sandy Powell's costume designs are wonderfully exquisite to the design of the dresses for the Boleyn sisters, Henry VIII's clothing, and the look of the period itself. Powell's work is truly superb as it is authentic to the look and feel of the 16th Century. Sound editor Julian Slater and mixers Ed Coyler and John Casali do excellent work in creating an atmosphere of the times including some of the film’s dramatic scenes that included a layering of an argument between Henry and Anne while the scene is showing Mary taking care of baby Elizabeth. The music of Ed Shearmur is wonderfully subtle with bass-heavy orchestration to convey the film's sense of drama without any epic arrangements and such.

The cast assembled by Karen Lindsay-Stewart is superb with appearances from Daisy Doidge-Hill, Kizzy Fassett, and Finton Reilly as the young Anne, Mary, and George Boleyn, respectively along with Alfie Allen as the king's messenger and Corrine Galloway as Henry's soon-to-be third wife Jane Seymour. From the Joe Wright adaptation of Atonement, supporting actors Benedict Cumberbatch as William Carey and Juno Temple as Jane Parker are excellent in their roles while Temple has a bigger role as George Boleyn's wife whom George doesn't seem to like very much. Oliver Coleman and Eddie Redmayne as the respective lovers of Anne and Mary are excellent with Redmayne in a bigger role as a man who desired Mary while sympathizing with her role in court.

Spanish actress Ana Torrent is excellent as Katherine of Aragon who intimidates Mary while having a presence that is very regal as she has a wonderful, subtle confrontation with Natalie Portman. David Morrissey is also great as the ambitious, conniving Duke of Norfolk whose connection to the king only causes trouble with his family as he is a character that cares more about prestige than family. Mark Rylance is brilliant as the ambitious Thomas Boleyn who decides to have his daughters become the king's mistresses hoping to ensure a prestigious position for him. Kristin Scott Thomas is superb as Lady Boleyn who is more concerned about her daughters' happiness instead of wealth as she is forced to see her family disintegrate. Thomas' scene where her anger at her husband and brother is just powerful.

Jim Sturgess is wonderful as George Boleyn, the loyal brother of Anne and Mary who hopes to protect them until he's forced to do something for Anne as he becomes confused and hurt. Eric Bana is okay but not great as Henry the VIII. The restraint and lack of heavy emotions makes the character of Henry the VIII very dull. Even when he has to be compared to Jonathan Rhys-Meyers of The Tudors mini-series.  Henry the VIII is supposed to be a man that is big and full of himself as Bana doesn't really do anything but sit around and just give orders.  It's a really uninspiring performance though there's moments where he can be romantic but doesn't exude the sexuality of the young Henry the VIII.

The film's best performances goes to the double-power combo of Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson, where if they were one, they'd be called Scartalie Porthansson. Portman's witty, sly, charming performance as Anne Boleyn as she exudes sexiness while using her smiles and giggles to win everyone. While her British accent isn't perfect, Portman makes up for it with her winning performance as her dramatic work is superb. After a series of lackluster films and performances, Scarlett Johansson delivers her strongest performance since 2004's A Love Song for Bobby Long. Using her minimalist approach to performance, Johansson brings subtlety and grace to her performance as Mary Boleyn. While Johansson has often been known for her beauty, that becomes second as her portrayal of the shy, innocent Mary is amazing as Johansson delves into the pain and confusion of her sister's ambitions as well as her role.

While both actresses manage to hold their own against Eric Bana, it's the scenes when they're together that's just dynamite. The two actresses seem to be in ease with other while displaying a masterful sense of drama as the two fight and comfort each other in powerful some powerful scenes. Both are great at crying but the two of them cry together, overwhelming.

While it's not a perfect film, The Other Boleyn Girl is still an enjoyable period film that's entertaining and engaging. Thanks to the double-powerhouse combo of Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson with wonderful support from Jim Sturgess, and Kristin Scott Thomas. It's a film that history buffs might seem to enjoy once they don't take some of the historical context to seriously. Fans of both Portman and Johansson will no doubt consider their performances to be essential among their respective filmography. More importantly, the film is a showcase for the two as they show some of Hollywood's more well-known, lesser-talented young actresses how it's done. So in the end, The Other Boleyn Girl is a very good though flawed period film that is watchable thanks to the acting talents of Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson.

(C) thevoid99 2010