Color, Pageantry Can't Save 'Boleyn Girl'

By Kenneth Turan

Published February 29, 2008 at 6:00 AM EST

Morning Edition's film critic reviews The Other Boleyn Girl. The movie is based on Philippa Gregory's best-selling novel, set in 16th-century England. At that time, Henry VIII was king — and Anne Boleyn was looking to replace his queen.

Kenneth Turan says the film gets points for color and pageantry — but that ultimately it's a royal bodice-ripper with ideas above its station.

Kenneth Turan

Kenneth Turan is the film critic for the Los Angeles Times and NPR's Morning Edition, as well as the director of the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes. He has been a staff writer for the Washington Post and TV Guide, and served as the Times' book review editor.

See stories by Kenneth Turan

Through 'The Loss Mother's Stone,' mothers share their grief from losing a child to stillbirth

Nancy Borowick

Through her work, photographer Nancy Borowick says she hopes to draw awareness to women's stories, educate Americans and destigmatize the conversation that occurs between doctors and patients.
GM to retreat from robotaxis and stop funding its Cruise autonomous vehicle unit

The Associated Press

The automaker will focus on development of partially automated driver-assist systems for personal vehicles like its Super Cruise, which allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel.
Bankruptcy judge rejects The Onion's bid for Infowars

Tovia Smith

The bidder that lost last month's auction of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' assets had complained that the process was rigged and "fatally flawed."