I am a very dedicated Natalie Portman fan. I will see any film she is in, no matter how awful (or wonderful) it might look, and poor Steven gets drug along to the theater with me. Sometimes he lucks out and ends up loving the movie – as was the case with V for Vendetta – and sometimes we leave the theater with him asking, “why did you want to see that?” (as was the case with Closer). I always tell him the same thing – that I will see anything she is in… and he always says that doesn’t make any sense. But I bet some of you are the same way, right? RIGHT?
Anyway, the newest film of hers that caught my interest is The Other Boleyn Girl, which comes to theaters in February. I knew the film was based on a book by Philippa Gregory, but I wasn’t planning on reading it. That is, until I saw this preview, and was so intrigued by the preview that I went and bought the book that day because I knew I couldn’t wait until February to know what the story is about.
Surprisingly, I ended up really liking the book. I usually don’t read novels so I was worried that I would struggle through it. But it has quite a bit of history in it, and a lot of scandal. Even though it was well over 600 pages, I finished it in a week and never grew tired of it.
And since I am clueless about world history, and had no idea who Henry VIII or Anne Boleyn were, I was actually surprised by a lot of the twists and turns in the plot.
The amazon site for the book has a pretty good review from Publishers Weekly if you are interested. I definitely recommend the book! I hope the movie doesn’t disappoint!
i usually love the book but the movie never lives up to it which makes me sad. 🙁 natalie portman is great. i am that way about kate winslet or rosario dawson (can you say girl crush?). i see scarlett is in that flick. she’s fantastic too!
Hm, for me it’s anything Christian Bale is in (see also: The Machinist!)
I am curious to read the book as well. Maybe I’ll buy it and pack it in my suitcase for Christmas!
I loved that book – I’m not usually a fan of historical fiction, but my friend Michelle insisted I read the book and I adored it. Her other books about the Tudor family are also good.
I’m so looking forward to the movie!!!
I love Natalie Portman too, especially The Professional, Garden State, Beautiful Girls, and V for Vendetta. Closer had so much promise — and reminded me of some friends — but it just kind of fell apart. Good acting, but you can’t make up for a stupid script.
I’ll have to check out the book! I’ve been all into The Tudors on Showtime, so this will fit in quite nicely :).
sizzle – The Da Vinci Code was a total disappointment for me! But Tom Hanks is another person I will see almost anything he is in… and I like Scarlett too! 🙂
diane – Do you watch The Machinist more than once a year? I don’t know if I can ever look at him so skinny again!!! You should pick up a copy of this book; I think you’ll like it!
suze – I bought The Constant Princess today! Shh, don’t tell Steven! He said I can’t buy any more books before Christmas…
ajooja – I was surprised Closer was such a dud too! So many great actors… oh well… we still got to see Natalie Portman…
Hilly – I did a wikipedia search on Henry VIII and that show came up! I am curious to see it now!
I never would’ve pegged you as a Portman fan. I know you love SW and all that, but Portman and you? Nah. Never woulda thunk it. I’ll see it for Scarlett. 😉
kapgar – you’re giving Scarlett another chance after The Babysitter Diaries?
Be very glad you *don’t* know English history. It totally spoils this kind of movie for me because they are always so highly fictionalized. One of my friends won’t even watch films about British history with me because I bitch so much about the historical inaccuracies. Bret still hasn’t forgiven me for spoiling his beloved Braveheart.
So I will just say through bitten lips, “Enjoy the movie!”
SJ – After doing some research (and reading the disclaimer in the book) I realized how fictionalized it was… but the end result is still the same right? I guess it it sometimes fun to see movies about real people, no matter how “real” the story is!