The other woman
Bodice-ripper “The Other Boleyn Girl” is more than just a lush period film based on a popular historical novel: it is probably the scariest movie I have ever seen. Any female watching this movie and putting herself into the exquisite satin shows of either of the Boleyn girls will probably agree. The life or death stakes involved in their sexuality and their fertility are literally chilling. Maybe we didn’t get a female candidate for president this year, but at least we aren’t getting beheaded over our inability to get knocked up fast enough.
“The Other Boleyn Girl” is fun and interesting because it is a gossipy, sexy look at real historical people, and you can give yourself points for kind of gaining some knowledge while enjoying high-stakes backbiting, cat fights, and steamy sex scenes between attractive movie stars. It’s like a vaguely edifying episode of “Gossip Girl” with opulent costumes.
However, if you’re really going for extra credit, there is a vivid drama of gender and class politics to consider, and you can say to yourself, “Thank God I wasn’t alive then!” You think you want to be a Queen? Sure, the jewelry is fabulous, but this film does a very good job of showing the peril involved with becoming the object of a King’s desire. Sex becomes an absolute commodity, and one that can most assuredly kill you. If you’re a woman, that is.
Eric Bana plays Henry VIII, but it is the story, rather than the performances, that give this film meaning. Everyone was OK, but no one was terrific. It is interesting to see him realize and abuse his sexual power as the king. Meanwhile, it is, as I have mentioned, utterly horrifying to see the Boleyn girls, played by Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman, caught in his web, stuck their by scheming male relatives and jockeying for their position in his bed.
Don’t even mention the danger involved with that eventuality of sexual congress, pregnancy. If enjoyed on no other level, this is a great film for making women feel better about how comparatively easy we have it now. Sure, your husband leaves the seat up and your boss calls you “Darlin’” but at least they aren’t trying to kill you. At least, I certainly hope they aren’t.
“The Other Boleyn Girl” is currently available to rent.
Another cautionary tale, this time for those ladies considering hustling pool to support themselves, is “Turn the River,” which is in its own way full of danger. The beautiful Famke Janssen is toned down from her sexy “X Men” glory as a lonely pool player who has lost custody of her son and visits him secretly. She dreams of earning enough to smuggle him away, especially when she begins to suspect that his father may be abusing him.
An unexpected and interesting story full of good characters, this film was directed by the actor Chris Eigeman, who you will recognize from several ‘90s indie classics like “Kicking and Screaming” and everything by Whit Stillman (he’s the sarcastic guy.) This is his first time writing and directing, and rather than writing a film about a sarcastic dark-haired guy, he created an unusual story about a mom trying to do that right thing although it doesn’t come naturally to her.
Janssen is excellent as a tough woman; in a world where we’re supposed to perceive Carrie Bradshaw from “Sex and the City” as tough, her characterization is refreshingly gritty. She has some seriously dangerous plans and modestly universal goals: to be with the person she loves the most. She doesn’t even sleep her way to these ends. She plays pool like a boy. I’m not saying that it works out all that well, but it was at least interesting to watch. The addition of Rip Torn is, as always, a bonus. This is a great film about a woman that you would never call a chick-flick.
“Turn the River” is currently available to rent.
If you have some great 8mm or 16 mm home movies at your parents’ house out of town, set to obtaining them. Mobile is celebrating “Home Movie Day” at the long-awaited Crescent Theater on October 18. I’ll have details in the next issue, but you might need time to track down your far-flung cinematic gems, so I’m giving you time to prepare. Visit www.homemovieday.com if you can’t wait till our next issue to find out more and get your golden oldies ready to submit for screening at this cool event.
Contact Asia Frey at afrey@lagniappemobile.com.
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