The Other Boleyn Girl is a sensual and inviting tale of betrayal, lust and competition between two beautiful sisters who both vie for the affections of Henry VIII, the King of England. This rivalry slowly destroys their family, the king and the entire country.

The film begins with a brief background into the Boleyn siblings, which consists of the eldest daughter, Anne, the middle child, Mary, and the youngest, George. The patriarch of the family, their father, believes that future wealth and position is only determined through the ambition of his daughters. His favoritism extends greatly to Anne, who only wishes to please her family and become extremely rich. Mary, on the other hand, only hopes to live in peace in the country with a husband and family.

Two American actresses play the parts of Anne and Mary, and although the accents falter continuously throughout the film, they both manage to entice the audience with their superb acting skills. Scarlett Johansson (Match Point, Lost in Translation) is alluring as the meek and pleasing Mary. The softness in her voice and gentle movements contribute to her understated character. Natalie Portman (Garden State, V for Vendetta) has had experience in mimicking the British accent, but she does this poorly. Most of her words are garbled, and it is hard to decipher the dialogue without using subtitles. Though the package is faulty, the delivery is done splendidly. Her expressions are believable as are the genuine cries and looks of guilt and betrayal. The character of Henry VIII is played by Eric Bana (Black Hawk Down, Munich), an Australian actor, and the role of George Boleyn is played by Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe), whose part is small, but tremendously significant.

Unfortunately, the movie does not follow the history of Anne and Mary Boleyn entirely, but the adapted storyline and suspense captivate and keep you in your seat until the very end. Although the cast seems a little mismatched, the twists and disastrous turns are shocking, and the film will influence you to discover the real truth behind the Boleyn family and the corrupted past of England.

Syden Therese Abrenica is a student at Montclair University.

The Other Boleyn Girl is now on DVD.