THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL — ** — Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana; rated PG-13 (sex, violence, vulgarity, mild profanity, brief gore, slurs)
Like a lot of other historically based costume dramas, "The Other Boleyn Girl" is filled with intrigue. But that certainly doesn't make the movie intriguing.
In fact, this overstuffed bit of fluff can't muster much in the way of excitement. It offers a yawn-inducing, sketchy and fairly questionable version of historical events.
The film also features some surprisingly uninspired performances by a cast that's capable of much better things.
Based on the Philippa Gregory novel, this drama does follow the Boleyn sisters, the somewhat innocent Mary (Scarlett Johansson) and the older, more worldly Anne (Natalie Portman).
Their greedy uncle, the Duke of Norfolk (David Morrissey), and easily persuaded father, Thomas (Mark Rylance), hope to use the young beauties to increase the family's financial and social standing.
And they believe that opportunity presents itself when the reigning queen, Catherine of Aragon (Spanish actress Ana Torrent), is unable to produce a male heir for Henry Tudor (Eric Bana), aka Henry VIII.
The king's wandering eye initially turns to the tart-tongued Anne, though he becomes entranced by her newlywed sister, who initially resists but eventually succumbs to his charms.
This is actually British television director Justin Chadwick's second feature film, though it's clear he still has a lot to learn about cinematic staging and pacing.
And Peter Morgan's script is disappointing. There's precious little of the dry wit that was so prevalent in last year's Oscar-nominated "The Queen," which he also penned.
As for Johansson, she seems content to stare doe-eyed and rather vacantly at Bana, whose take on Henry VIII is bland and is hardly regal.
Portman is livelier, though this characterization of Anne Boleyn isn't particularly likable or sympathetic.
"The Other Boleyn Girl" is rated PG-13 for simulated sex and other sexual contact (including some sexual violence), brief strong violence (a pair of beheadings, mostly overheard), some suggestive language and references, scattered mild profanity (religiously based), brief gore, and other derogatory language. Running time: 110 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com