Hollywood can screw up a book like no other!

[VenusRising]

I just finished reading the book The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory. The story was an excellent telling of Anne Boleyn's rise to the throne through the voice of her sister Mary, who had been Henry's lover and mother of his bastard child. There was a lot of historical research put into the book by the author, so even though the dialogue was fictitious, the events were not.

So, now they are releasing a movie of this book. And not that I don't love the story and would love to see it as a film in quality equal to or greater than Elizabeth, but the principle actors are all wrong. Natalie Portman is going to be playing Anne Boleyn and Scarlett Johansen will be playing Mary Boleyn. :wtf: These starlets are not at all what I imagined or even close. And why not just get some Brit girls to play the roles instead of having horrible and distracting fake accents? I'm usually far more excited about movies of books that I've read, but this is not one and it makes me sad because I loved the book so much.

The trailer can be seen here. http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/theotherboleyngirl/

[huskerlaw]

1. I am SO with you!

Loved the book. Absolutely refuse to see the movie.

Not only are Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansen ridiculous choices as far as straight casting is concerned...they're also shitty actresses. ICK.

Plus, as I was reading the book, I kept picturing The Tudors cast. So I was probably going to be unhappy with anybody they picked. But really? Those two? No thanks!

[VenusRising]

2. I was picturing the Tudors cast, too!!

It comes back next month!!!! :bounce::bounce::bounce:

I've liked them in some things and not so much in others, but neither one should be in these particular roles. Not suited for them AT ALL! x(


:hi:

Have you read the Boleyn Inheritance? I've got that on my to buy list.

[GirlinContempt]

13. I found the Constant Princess and the Boleyn Inheritance were

not as good as The Other Boleyn Girl.
The Queens Fool was really quite good though.

I've read all her Tudor novels, they're readable, but not as good :)

[VenusRising]

16. Thanks for the reviews.

I'm actually reading Six Wives The Queens of Henry VIII. I started reading it after the first season of The Tudors, and after reading The Other Boleyn Girl I decided to finish it. I feel like I know as much about the divorce of Henry and Catharine as some scholars. :rofl:

[GirlinContempt]

19. Any time.

I found Constant Princess to be somewhat repetitive, though as I said, readable. the Boleyn Inheritance was just missing some of the charm of other boleyn girl. While interesting, the three person narrative made it harder to relate to a character, and at times harder to follow.

[LadyoftheRabbits]

31. Is that the biography by Antonia Fraser?

If so, a very good read. :D

[VenusRising]

39. David Starkey, actually.

You can borrow it when I'm finished if you like. :)

[huskerlaw]

15. I haven't!

I just finished The Other Boleyn Girl a few weeks ago and have moved on to entirely different genres. But it's definitely on my list!

Oh, The Tudors...I actually missed the last few episodes of last season. Thank goodness for Showtime in Demand. I better get on that!

[Oeditpus Rex]

18. Tudors!

:bounce:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-KQkZnwis0









Teh Longue today is what I call a "Python-rich environment." :D

[VenusRising]

22. I've seen that before!

It was extremely funny when I worked at an adult store. :evilgrin:

[Oeditpus Rex]

27. Selling copies of Arthur Hotchkiss' 'Devonshire Country Churches,' I suppose

Or was it "Bum Biters"? :shrug:

[VenusRising]

28. I think you classify what we sold as

novelties. :P

[Oeditpus Rex]

35. Novelties, eh?

"Joke, sir? Guaranteed amusing. As used by the crowned heads of Europe. Has brought tears to the eyes of Royalty. 'Denmark has never laughed so much' - The Stage. Nice little novelty number - a 'Naughty Humphrey' - breaks the ice at parties. Put it on the table, press the button, it vomits. Absolutely guaranteed. With refills. Black soap - leave it in the bathroom, they wash their hands, real fungus grows on the fingers. Can't get it off for hours. Guaranteed to break the ice at parties. Frighten the elderly - real snakes. Comedy hernia kit. Plastic flesh wounds - just keep your friends in stitches. Guaranteed to break the ice at parties. Hours of fun with 'Honeymoon Delight' - empty it into their beds - real skunk juice. They won't forget their wedding night. Sticks to the skin, absolutely waterproof, guaranteed to break the ice at parties. Amuse your friends - CS gas canisters. Smells, tastes and acts just like the real thing; can blind, maim or kill. Or, for drinks, why not buy a 'wicked willy' with a life-size winkle - serves warm beer. Makes real cocktails. Hours of amusement. Or get the new Poo-Poo Machine. Embarrass your guests - completely authentic sound. Or why not try a new Naughty Nightie - put it on and it melts. Just watch their faces. Guaranteed to break the ice at naughty parties."



It's at the end of this bit, so you've got to sit through the Spanish Inquisition. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVLWaNARxFQ

[soleft]

3. You guys prefer the actress on the Tudors to Natalie Portman?

I don't know. Loved Natalie in V for Vendetta. Johannsen not so much.

[MrCoffee]

5. Oh come on, Scarlett was great in Ghost World

and I loved everything about Lost In Translation.

Girl With A Pearl Earring...meh.

[ceile]

7. Just watched Ghost World yesterday.

Thought it was ok. I've seen Lost in Translation 3 times-love that movie.

[MrCoffee]

11. CEILE!!!!!

:hug: :hug: :hug:

How've you been? Long time no see. :yourock:

[ceile]

21. Hey sweetie!

Just changed jobs and been working from home a lot. Haven't had much time to "play". :hug:

[VenusRising]

10. Ghost World is one of my favorite movies!

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[VenusRising]

9. I loved Natalie in V for Vendetta.

But I don't think she is right for Anne Boleyn. Every account of Anne Boleyn that I have read discusses her dark smoldering looks and how she could charm everyone around her. I think Natalie Dormer from the Tudors conveys that better than Natalie Portman, but it doesn't have to be either of those actresses in my opinion. I'm happy to watch the Tudors as a separate entity and not incorporate the actors into the other movie, but I just wished that they had picked better actresses for the principals for The Other Boleyn Girl.

[graywarrior]

4. Don't know what the big deal is about Johansen

Someone explain it to me.

[MrCoffee]

6. Ok

[graywarrior]

8. I think I may understand

[VenusRising]

12. And with a REAL British accent, too!

:9

:hi:

[graywarrior]

14. With a voice like buddah

[RubyDuby in GA]

36. This I get. Scarlett - not so much!

Having read the book in question, I can't imagine anyone worse for this part - with the possible exception of Paris Hilton. Although, I did read recently that she has been seeing an acting coach. :)

[Bake]

40. That pretty much says it all.

Bake

[LynneSin]

25. Big boobs and pouty lips

Nuff said.

I think a few times she kinda impressed me with her acting. But I watched "The Nanny Diaries" the other day and all I could think was this was a rip-off of "The Devil Wears Prada" and Anne Hathaway was 20 times the actress over Scarlett.

[Bake]

41. You're just jealous!

:rofl:

Bake

[LisaM]

17. There's no conclusive proof that Henry VIII fathered any of Mary Boleyn's children

I'm not saying it couldn't be true, but it's never been proved. The title of this book is possibly one of the biggest hooks ever written!

OTOH, I think Natalie Portman could play anyone. She has depth and range and a sort of international appeal (like Audrey Hepburn) that means that she can play a variety of roles well.

[VenusRising]

20. I was talking about the book's version of the story.

There is no conclusive proof, as you say, but there is a possibility as she was mistress to the King. There is mention of the possibility of it in the book I'm reading now - Six Wives The Queens of Henry VIII, but they say that regardless if the father were the King or William Carey, her husband, Henry was done with Mary after she got pregnant and then turned to Anne.

I wish I was convinced about Natalie Portman, but sadly, I'm not. And I say sadly because I really want to like this movie, but the trailer alone is painful to watch.

[LynneSin]

24. Remember - the book is historical fiction

So they can make these kind of crazy assumptions but ultimately it is fiction.

[LisaM]

26. I know, but I have friends who read it who assure me that this is the case

Even though I have been studying Tudor history for many years. They read one book of historical fiction and now they know everything!

[RubyDuby in GA]

37. I have friends like that too!

And I have a history degree! :)

I love reading good historical fiction, but ultimately I know that it is just that - fiction. I do appreciate that she's at least tried to get the setting right.

[LadyoftheRabbits]

33. Very true...

Gregory has taken quite a few historical liberties in her novels which, as a history major specializing in that era, I have to overlook in the face of an entertaining and lively read. :)

[LynneSin]

23. Well you have "Memoir of a Geisha" cast with all Chinese Actresses

but the story is based in Japan.

But I guess for average joe America they see an Asian-style face and think they are all the same.

I thought those 2 actress who had the leads were all beautiful but to me they were all clearly chinese and just kinda brought the movie down a slot.

[MrCoffee]

29. "an Asian-style face"

:eyes:

[LynneSin]

34. Oh settle

The point is that most americans don't have a clue about the facial differences with people from Southeast Asia. They stupidly lump them in all together - probably just too lazy to actually give a fuck.

[LadyoftheRabbits]

30. Considering that is my favourite novel *ever*,

I am pretty much with you. I mean, on its own, the movie looks decent, but when compared to the novel it's derived from, I can't help but flinch. I like Johansson as Mary, I think she'll do well, but Anne's complex character seems to have been miscast with Natalie Portman. I don't know... I'm looking forward to seeing it, but cringing will likely abound.

:hi: :hug:

[VenusRising]

38. We should go see it together!

At least we can groan to each other.

:hi::hug:

[LeftinOH]

32. Those two particular 'starlets' are actually pretty talented...n/t