SCARLETT JOHANSSON
The Other Boleyn Girl challenged Hollywood’s most glamorous young actress to take on the mannerisms of another age — and that oh-so-tricky English accent
Text: Francesca Lombardo
With her voluptuous lips and curvaceous figure, she ranks as one of the world’s sexiest women and is probably the hottest young actress in Hollywood. Nevertheless, Scarlett Johansson doesn’t seem to care to live up to her sex symbol reputation.
Highly prized by film directors such as Woody Allen for her versatile talent, wit and intelligence, the Hollywood starlet’s latest choice of roles is a way to tell the world she is more than just a pretty face.
In The Other Boleyn Girl, a film directed by Justin Chadwick and inspired by Philippa Gregory’s book of the same name, Scarlett is cast as the plain and demure sister of the feisty, scheming and strong-willed Anne Boleyn, played by Natalie Portman, cast against type and her innocent, girl-next-door looks.
The film follows the tale of the Boleyn sisters’ rivalry to win Henry VIII (Eric Bana)’s sexual interest and love, despite both being victims of their family’s ambitious plots.
Scarlett talks to us about the challenges attached to playing a role in which she was expected to master the mannerisms of a 16th-century woman and an impeccable British accent.
Scarlett and Natalie
Portman in The Other
BoleynYou and Natalie Portman play two amazingly complex roles; did you ever think about playing Anne instead?
Not really. When I was offered the role, the Anne Boleyn part was already attached to Natalie, so it never crossed my mind to play it. It was actually Natalie who suggested that I play her sister, Mary.
A lot has been written about Anne Boleyn but very little about Mary; how did you find out about this character?
That’s true, there is so little historical reference and research about Mary Boleyn. We only know that she bore Henry VIII one or possibly two illegitimate children and that she was the first one to be picked as his lover. I had to rely on the book mainly and on my own feel for Mary’s character. The director also helped me a lot in getting a grasp of Mary’s psychology. He was an actor himself and he knows how actors think.
What did you find most challenging in playing Mary Boleyn?
Keeping up the mannerisms of a woman from a different historical age. But we had a great coach who followed us all the way through and kept up our British accent, which had to be the classic Queen’s English. It is English but if you have an American accent, it sounds very much like a foreign language. It would have been challenging even if I’d had to learn Cockney.
You are a young, highly successful and independent woman. Mary is a kindhearted person, but mostly a victim of her family and her sister. How did you feel about impersonating these traits?
It was very difficult for me to understand what is going through the mind of someone so submissive like Mary. From a very young age, my sister and I have been encouraged to be independent, to follow our dreams and develop our own personality.
My mother has been a great example in that. But what really strikes me is that today in many societies women are still treated as victims, and don’t seems to enjoy the same freedom and opportunities as men. It is very sad but makes me realise how lucky I am to have grown up in a country like America, where women have a lot of chances, and in a family like mine.
On location in EnglandWhat did you enjoy most about filming in England?
It was just fantastic. I had a great time with Natalie and Eric, we laughed and teased each other all the time. It also gave me the chance to see many places. Every day we changed locations, new castles and churches. We have seen so many that I can’t even remember the names.
So no rivalry between you and Natalie?
Not at all. Natalie has some friends in London and we used to go out with them to clubs and restaurants in our spare time. We had a ball.
Is it true that you will be playing Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland in your next role?
Yes that’s right, we will start filming this summer.
And which accent will you use, French or Scottish, this time?
We don’t know yet, but it will surely be a challenge in either case!