Anyone who likes fact-based historical movies, English style dramas, period costumes and betrayals, will probably enjoy The Other Boleyn Girl, a film version of Philippa Gregory's 2002 bestselling novel.

Two sisters, Anne (Natalie Portman) and Mary (Scarlett Johansson) Boleyn, enjoy their life in the English countryside. Mary is especially happy when she gets married and out of her father's conniving ways. This leaves the sultry Anne perturbed about not having a husband. She doesn't realize her father, Sir Thomas Boleyn (Mark Rylance), has bigger schemes brewing for her.

Everyone in the land has heard about King Henry Tudor (Eric Bana) being disgruntled because the Queen (Constance Stride) has not produced a son to inherit his crown. When Sir Thomas' brother-in-law, the Duke of Norfolk (David Morrissey), announces he can bring the King for a visit to the Boleyns, the plan is set. Sir Thomas informs Anne she must beguile the King so he will invite her, and ultimately her entire family to live at Hampton Court and become British nobility.

Anne understands if she can give the King the son he craves, her life worries are over. When the King and his troops arrive, Anne is a little too anxious, even suiting up as the only woman on the King's fox hunt. Because of her; he has an accident. Not wanting to anger him any further, Sir Thomas sends Mary to tend the King's wounds, and before he can say, "all better," it's Mary he wants as his mistress, not Anne.

Anne and especially Mary -- since she's a newlywed -- are dead set against this idea. But father won't give in and soon the Boleyns are living at court. Mary loses the King's child, and Anne, nursing a healthy dose of anger and jealousy, again goes after the King. The drama that unfolds after this, including someone's beheading, could only happen in movies. Or could it?

There's usually creative license in Hollywood movies based on historical fact, and that happens in The Other Boleyn Girl. Yet the story penned by Peter Morgan (The Queen) and directed by Justin Chadwick is solid. The production values and talented cast keep it engaging.

Portman has an interesting character arc as Anne goes from carefree girl to revengeful woman.  Bana appears more a physical presence, for his character has little range other than the always forlorn and unfaithful husband. To me, Johansson stands out in her role. Mary, who rarely ventures out of character even though her life has as many twists and difficult turns as a whitewater river trip, crests each ordeal with pure intentions and never turns on those who turn on her.

"Sibling relationships are complicated," said Johansson. "Everyone can understand that jealousy and competition. The bond is very strong; only your siblings can read you so well and know instinctively how you feel."

The movie reminds us how women were so cheaply used as pawns during this era, and the girls' own mother (Kristin Scott Thomas) could do nothing except go along with the grand schemes. The girl's brother (Jim Sturgess) is on their side but cannot fight 16 centuries of male domination and rule.

Filled with drama, intrigue, ambition, sensuality and greed, The Other Boleyn Girl captured my attention throughout.   

(Released by Columbia Pictures and rated “PG-13” for mature thematic elements, sexual content and some violent images.)

Review also posted at www.reviewexpress.com.