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Nicole Kidman, John Malkovich, Barbara Hershey, Mary-Louise Parker, Martin Donovan ... see more see more... , Shelley Winters , Richard E. Grant , Shelley Duvall , Christian Bale , Viggo Mortensen , Valentina Cervi , John Gielgud , Richard Chamberlain , Edward Fox , Suzanne Neve

Jane Campion directed this expressive adaptation of the classic novel by Henry James. Isabel Archer (Nicole Kidman) is a young American woman who, after the death of her parents, has been sent to Engl... read more read more...and to visit relatives. While her family's tragedy has left her penniless, Isabel's beauty has earned her the attentions of a number of eligible men. When Isabel turns down a proposal of marriage from the wealthy Lord Warburton (Richard E. Grant) because she does not love him, her cousin Ralph (Martin Donovan), who is also smitten with her, arranges for his father to leave her a fortune before succumbing to tuberculosis so that she may live as an independent woman. Isabel takes a tour of Europe, where she meets Madame Merle (Barbara Hershey), a jaded sophisticate and matchmaker who introduces her to Gilbert Osmond (John Malkovich), a widowed American artist living abroad. Isabel falls in love with Gilbert and they marry, but his sloth and opportunism soon begin to wear on her, and three years later she is desperate to get out of their relationship. The Portrait of a Lady also stars John Gielgud, Mary-Louise Parker, Christian Bale, and Shelley Winters. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

49% liked it

6,867 ratings

Critics

43% liked it

28 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 24 min.

Directed by: Jane Campion

Release Date: December 24, 1996

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DVD Release Date: September 14, 1999

Stats: 253 reviews

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Barbara Hershey & John Malkovich in The Portrait of a Lady Nicole Kidman in The Portrait of a Lady Barbara Hershey in The Portrait of a Lady Barbara Hershey in The Portrait of a Lady Nicole Kidman in The Portrait of a Lady Barbara Hershey in The Portrait of a Lady Barbara Hershey in The Portrait of a Lady The Portrait of a Lady The Portrait of a Lady John Malkovich in The Portrait of a Lady
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Flixster Reviews (253)

  • ileo
    December 12, 2007
    ileo
    Fantastic!
  • shannylee38
    December 20, 2006
    shannylee38
    Film not so good but Malkovich nailed it!
  • StaisilD
    July 16, 2007
    StaisilD
    I found this movie to be quite boring at times. Some of the actors don't even have an English accent, and since it is an English movie I would think that it would be a nessecity to have one. The only thing I enjoyed besides Christian Bale ( that it took along time before he ente... read morer the movie) or the costumes.

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Critic Reviews

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

Intelligent but exasperating, its monotonous tone will wear down even viewers who started out in its corner.

Tim Brayton
August 23, 2009
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

An easy thing to dislike, I suppose, and even easier to find it absolutely fascinating. Full Review

Rob Gonsalves
September 22, 2007
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

In all, Jane Campion has pulled off a neat trick here -- she's made a film that makes Henry James' work seem positively giddy. Full Review

Rob Vaux
May 13, 2007
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium

A handsome production, but the ass, she doth ache.

Michael Dequina
January 8, 2005
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

Not only slow but uninvolving. Full Review

Frank Ochieng
May 27, 2003
Frank Ochieng, TheWorldJournal.com

A sophisticated and elegant period piece with the right touch of feminist flourishes to elevate this compelling fable

Nick Davis
January 10, 2003
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks

So bold and well-orchestrated that you sometimes want to cheer the vividness of a single shot, the humor of a fleeting detail. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
August 28, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Presents a bold and bewitching screen adaptation of the novel by Henry James. Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
September 7, 2011
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Todd McCarthy
March 27, 2009
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

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The Portrait of a Lady Trivia

  • Which one of these movies was Nicole Kidman NOT nominated for an Oscar or Golden Globe?  Answer »
  • What actress has been in the following films: Fried Green Tomatoes Saved Boys on the Side The Portrait of a Lady Mr. Wonderful  Answer »
  • Nicole Kidman has appeared in My Life (1993/I) with Michael Keaton, Batman Forever (1995) with Val Kilmer, The Peacemaker (1997) with George Clooney and The Portrait of a Lady (1996) with Christian Bale. All four actors have played Batman in a movie.  Answer »
  • Which one of these movies was Nicole Kidman NOT nominated for an Oscar or Golden Globe?   Answer »
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