The Other Boleyn Girl Blu-ray Review

"The Other Boleyn Girl" receives a top-tier presentation on Blu-ray, boasting an all-digital 1080p, 1.85:1 high definition transfer that gleams with the sharpness and clarity owed to its native HD filming using the Panavision Genesis HD Camera. The absence of grain and the pristine quality of the source print exemplify the care taken in its high-definition transfer, with no visible flaws like noise, edge enhancement, or digital noise reduction to mar the picture. Detail is lavishly presented, capturing every texture from the sun-bathed wheat fields to the intricate stitches on the period costumes. The contrast is deep and well-managed, allowing for rich blacks and dynamic range that adds a 3D pop effect, making both the dark interior scenes and bright exteriors stand out with clarity and depth.

However, the transfer is not without its stylistic choices that may detract for some. The director's use of a subdued and occasionally desaturated color palette lends the film a historically accurate, though somewhat lifeless complexion, mirroring the pasty skin tones of the 16th-century court. This choice, aimed at historical authenticity, results in a blanched look that pervades even the vibrant greens and blues of the costumes, which, while still eye-catching in well-lit scenes, could have shone more brightly. The film's intentionally washed-out appearance, particularly in its many dark, cold interior shots and the occasional over-brightness of blacks could be seen as a flaw but mostly suits the bleak tone of the narrative.

With extraordinary detail capture and meticulous treatment of textures and shadows, this Blu-ray transfer is nothing short of stunning, illustrating that even a film not necessarily designed as a visual spectacle can shine in high definition. Certain choices like the desaturation effect and milky complexions might not appeal to all, but overall, this is an impressive high-definition presentation that showcases how a film, when captured from an original digital source and rendered with care, can offer a viewing experience that far surpasses its standard definition counterpart.

The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround soundtrack accompanying "The Other Boleyn Girl" Blu-ray serves as a testament to the highs and lows of audio design in contemporary cinema, particularly within the realm of period dramas. From the outset, viewers are greeted with an immersive soundscape during the opening scene featuring the Boleyn siblings, where the rustling grass, ambient wind, and birdsong vividly pull the audience into the setting, showcasing the potential for a truly enveloping audio experience. However, this promise is not fully realized throughout the film's entirety. The soundstage, while occasionally expansive for certain sequences like the captivating opening and King’s arrival, predominantly remains disappointingly front-loaded with minimal effective use of the surround channels. Moreover, interior scenes particularly miss an opportunity to leverage ambient echoes and reverberations that could have enriched the authenticity of echoing stone corridors and vast banquet halls.

The soundtrack does shine in several technical aspects. The dialogue is consistently crisp and intelligible, with an appreciable tonal distinction that maintains clarity across various scenes, whether they are dialogue-heavy or musically underscored moments. The score by Paul Cantelon harmonizes well with the film’s visual and thematic tones, offering a pleasant auditory complement to the narrative unfolding on screen. However, issues arise with the subwoofer's application—elements like the thunderous approach of horse hooves can overwhelm rather than enhance, revealing a lack of finesse in balancing the low-frequency effects which occasionally drowns out dialogue or disrupts the atmospheric equilibrium.

In summary, while "The Other Boleyn Girl" provides moments of aural brilliance that hint at what could have been a consistently immersive audio experience, it ultimately falls short due to underutilized spatial dynamics and inconsistencies in ambient sound management. This mixed execution results in a soundtrack that, despite its faults, still manages to support the film adequately but leaves one pondering the untapped potential had greater attention been paid to leveraging the full scope of auditory space – especially in a format as rich and capable as Dolby TrueHD 5.1.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Other Boleyn Girl" offer a mixed bag of content that ranges from the technically enlightening to the historically superficial. Director Justin Chadwick's audio commentary is a standout, as he enthusiastically delves into the production's use of HD cameras, the detailed research that informed the set and costume design, and his overall directing philosophy, providing an informative albeit better experience than the film itself. The Picture in Picture Track "Inside the Court" is a novel approach to trivia tracks, offering background information in a dynamic format, though it might require enduring the film a second time. The historical documentaries and Members of the Court Biographies, despite being in high definition, feel too brief to satisfy true history aficionados. Deleted and extended scenes are as expected, justifying their removal from the final cut for pacing reasons. Other inclusions like camera tests narrated by Chadwick add a technical perspective, but the overall package might have benefitted from deeper historical exploration and less repetition of information.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Enthusiastic and informative track by director Justin Chadwick.
• Picture in Picture Track - Inside the court: Offers background information with a dynamic visual approach.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes: A collection of scenes that were rightly cut from the film.
• To Be A Lady: Explores women's struggles and lifestyles in 16th century England.
• Translating History to Screen: Discusses efforts to adapt historical accuracy into filmmaking.
• Members of the Court Biographies: Brief biographies of key historical figures featured in the story.
• Camera Tests with Director Commentary: Insight into early camera tests for the film.
• Trailers: Previews for other films, presented in high definition.

"The Other Boleyn Girl," despite its potential as a historical drama filled with intrigue and political maneuvering within Henry VIII's court, falls short of expectations due to a combination of factors. Adapted from Philippa Gregory's best-selling novel, the film attempts to chronicle the competition between Anne (Natalie Portman) and Mary Boleyn (Scarlett Johansson) as they vie for the affection of King Henry VIII (Eric Bana) under the ambitious guidance of their family. However, the execution of this tale is hindered by what many have described as a subpar script and performances that lack the depth necessary to convey the complex emotions and motivations driving the characters.

The film's portrayal of historical events oscillates between glamorized fiction and a bleak, almost soap opera-like depiction of the Boleyn sisters' rise and fall. While the film boasts commendable production values and captures the opulence of the Tudor court, it struggles to engage the audience fully. This disconnect is further exacerbated by characters that, despite being based on real historical figures, come across as unrelatable and even repugnant, making it challenging for viewers to invest emotionally in their fates. Eric Bana's Henry VIII is crafted more as a heartless antagonist than a nuanced monarch torn by personal and dynastic pressures, which could have offered a richer, more compelling narrative.

Technical aspects of "The Other Boleyn Girl" do provide some redemption, with competent direction from Justin Chadwick and visually arresting costumes and sets that faithfully recreate the period. Despite these strengths, the film's inability to foster empathy for its main characters or offer a fresh perspective on the well-trodden history of the Tudor dynasty ultimately renders it a missed opportunity. Viewers seeking a more insightful or emotionally gripping recounting of Anne and Mary Boleyn's story may find themselves disappointed by the film's failure to rise above its melodramatic tendencies and historical liberties.

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Other Boleyn Girl" offers a compelling case for both the film's admirers and skeptics, underscored by its technical prowess in visual and supplementary aspects, albeit with a noted compromise in audio experience. The film's transfer to Blu-ray is lauded for its remarkable clarity and fidelity, capturing the intricate details of its period setting and costumes with an excellence that places it among the top tier of high definition presentations. This visual appeal is bolstered by a comprehensive suite of extras inherited from the SD release, along with HD-exclusive features like an engaging trivia track, providing an enriched viewing experience. However, the audio aspect, particularly the TrueHD track, while accurate to the original mix, is criticized for its lack of dynamism, presenting a somewhat flattened auditory landscape that does not fully compliment the film's dramatic depth.

Despite the technical merits of the Blu-ray release, the film itself incites a polarized reception, attributed to its portrayal of its historical characters' morally ambiguous pursuits of power and prestige. This character-driven dissonance evokes strong viewer reactions, positioning "The Other Boleyn Girl" as a film of considerable emotional impact, albeit one that may not bear repeated viewings for all. The consensus among critics underscores this dichotomy: while the film excels in its meticulous recreation of a dark segment of English history and its emotional resonance, it struggles to endear itself to those seeking more heart and intrigue in their period pieces.

In conclusion, the Blu-ray release of "The Other Boleyn Girl" stands as a testament to the film's ability to visually and emotionally captivate, supported by an impressive high-definition transfer and a rich array of supplementary materials. While the audio presentation may fall short of expectations and the film's narrative may not appeal universally, this release presents an opportunity for viewers to immerse themselves in a lavishly produced slice of history. Whether as a validation for fans or a spectacle for newcomers, this Blu-ray does justice to the film's aesthetic and historical intricacies, making it a noteworthy addition to a discerning collector's library.