The Other Boleyn Girl

Not to be confused with the identically-titled recent feature film starring Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson, this 2003 BBC-TV adaptation of Philippa Gregory's novel stars Natascha McElhone as Mary Boleyn, the more sensitive of two siblings who shared the bed of Britain's King Henry VIII. Mary recedes into the background when her ruthlessly ambitious sister Anne (Jodhi May in a performance of remarkable intensity) goads the king (Jared Harris) into giving her more power and visibility in his court. Used as pawns by their opportunistic family, the two young women are eventually separated and their emotional ties severed—with tragic consequences. Gregory's yarn played fast and loose with the historical record, which is even more apparent in writer-director Philippa Lowthorpe's treatment than in the theatrical version. On the plus side, McElhone's portrayal of Mary is leagues ahead of Johansson's, not only because she's a better actress, but also because the character seems to have more psychological weight. Regardless, it's still Anne who dominates, and May's breakout portrayal of the ill-fated mistress is dynamic. A sumptuously mounted and deliciously catty take on the notorious and tragic Boleyn family affair, this is recommended. (E. Hulse)