One of the great things about my job is I get to go to the occassional movie preview. Today as The Police warmed up at the Members Equity stadium nearby, I and a few privileged others – about eight of us in all – were invited to The Jaffa Room. It’s a bit like an oversized home theatre room, but with a proper projector and real films, not dvds, being shown. We knew it was film because a light broke and we had to restart the film and then when the reels were changed had to wait for them to change the film on the projector.
You feel special.
The film was one I have been looking forward to: The Other Boleyn Girl adapted from the book by Philippa Gregory.
If you haven’t read the book – and I do recommend it – this is the story of two sisters. Both desired by the King of England. Both desiring him… but for different reasons, one for love, the other for power. This is at a time when the King is at his prime. Masculine, sexy, handsome, young… well in his mid 30s anyway. His queen – played brilliantly by Ana Torrent – is aging – she’s slightly older than the king but worn out through multiple miscarriages and still births. The King’s eye is set to wander.
It’s a story of how young women are manipulated through marriage and sex for the advancement of families.
Sisterly rivalry.
Betrayal.
The thing with historical fiction is you know the ending, but this not often told tale is intriging.
I liked the way Eric Bana plays King Henry: bold, brooding, sometimes petulant, completely entranced and yes sexy.
Scarlett Johannsen is perfect as the younger sister Mary – just 14 when she first comes to court to be offered up to the king.
And Natalie Portman is stunning in her bitchy, scheming, frightened, unravelled girl-queen.
When this comes out late February – if you like historical films at all – it is worth a look.
King Henry does not come out of it well.
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That sounds like fun. I mean going for previews as a part of your job is just so cool. Will check this one out. Thanks for sharing this.
I got here through entrecard by the way.
Have a blessed weekend
Welcome!
Yes it is fun – doesn’t happen very often but when it does…
oooh – i’ve seen the trailer of this, and it DOES look good.
And I got warm fuzzy feelings about Eric Bana too, whcih I wasn’t expecting. I had to fan my face daintily and discretely…
I had lost you..You were on my rss thingy and Pffft you vanished.. now I have found you again..woot..
cheers kim..
Welcome back Kim.