Movie Description
Nicole Kidman stars in this dark, elaborate adaptation of Henry James's novel, director Jane Campion's follow-up to THE PIANO. American Isabel Archer (Kidman) visits her wealthy relatives in 1872 England, where she turns down an offer of marriage by a kind and rich suitor (Richard E. Grant) in order to see the world and experience life. Her consumptive cousin (Martin Donovan) is secretly in love with her and arranges that she inherit a fortune so she can fulfill this desire, but she lets herself be seduced into marriage by a manipulative, egotistical aesthete named Osmond (John Malkovich). As Osmond works to subjugate her, it's up to Isabel to see the truth and earn back her dying cousin's faith. The stellar cast includes Viggo Mortenson, Mary-Louise Parker, Shelley Winters, Christian Bale, Shelley Duvall, Valentina Cervi as Osmond's beautiful, dominated daughter, and, best of all, Barbara Hershey as Madame Servena, Isabel's scheming friend. The moving, nuanced performances are complemented and at times even eclipsed by Janet Patterson's ethereal costume designs, the decadently dark color schemes, and Campion's graceful camera movements.
| Credits | | Cast: | Mary-Louise Parker, Richard E. Grant, Shelley Duvall, Sir John Gielgud |
Notes
Theatrical release: December 27, 1996 (NY/LA); January 17, 1997 (national).
Filmed on location in England and in Rome and Florence, Italy.
Shown at the 1996 Venice Film Festival (noncompeting).
Editorial Reviews
"...A literary adaptation of exceeding intelligence, beauty and concentrated artistry....Campion presents the story in a dark, lush, mysterious manner..."
Variety - Todd McCarthy (09/09/1996)
"...Hershey rises to her juicy role....[Donovan] gives a really great performance..."
Entertainment Weekly - p.42-3 - Lisa Schwarzbaum (01/17/1997)
"...[Told] with spareness, strength and precision....Kidman is the picture of clarity, purpose and single-minded intelligence....THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY is impressive..."
Los Angeles Times - p.F1 - Kenneth Turan (12/24/1996)
"...Well acted. Kidman has the bearing and quality of the intelligent young American. Barbara Hershey is magnificent....Martin Donovan is touching..."
Chicago Sun-Times - p.33 - Roger Ebert (01/17/1997)
"...The film loosens every cliché in the costume drama book....Campion allows the past to breathe, expand, and even make mating motions towards the present..."
Film Comment - Harlan Kennedy (11/01/1996)
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