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IMDbPro

The Portrait of a Lady

  • 19961996
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 24m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
12K
YOUR RATING
The Portrait of a Lady (1996)
Trailer for Portrait of a Lady
Play trailer2:11
2 Videos
89 Photos
  • Drama
  • Romance
An American girl inherits a fortune and falls into a misguided relationship with a gentleman confidence artist whose true nature, including a barbed and covetous disposition, turns her life ... Read allAn American girl inherits a fortune and falls into a misguided relationship with a gentleman confidence artist whose true nature, including a barbed and covetous disposition, turns her life into a nightmare.An American girl inherits a fortune and falls into a misguided relationship with a gentleman confidence artist whose true nature, including a barbed and covetous disposition, turns her life into a nightmare.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
12K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Jane Campion
  • Writers
    • Henry James(novel)
    • Laura Jones(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Nicole Kidman
    • John Malkovich
    • Barbara Hershey
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jane Campion
  • Writers
    • Henry James(novel)
    • Laura Jones(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Nicole Kidman
    • John Malkovich
    • Barbara Hershey
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 73User reviews
    • 57Critic reviews
    • 60Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 5 wins & 15 nominations total

    Videos2

    The Portrait of a Lady: Blu-Ray (Special Edition)
    Trailer 2:11
    The Portrait of a Lady: Blu-Ray (Special Edition)
    The Portrait of a Lady
    Trailer 2:20
    The Portrait of a Lady

    Photos89

    Nicole Kidman in The Portrait of a Lady (1996)
    Shelley Duvall in The Portrait of a Lady (1996)
    John Malkovich and Barbara Hershey in The Portrait of a Lady (1996)
    Nicole Kidman and John Malkovich in The Portrait of a Lady (1996)
    John Malkovich in The Portrait of a Lady (1996)
    Nicole Kidman and John Malkovich in The Portrait of a Lady (1996)
    Martin Donovan in The Portrait of a Lady (1996)
    Barbara Hershey in The Portrait of a Lady (1996)
    John Gielgud in The Portrait of a Lady (1996)
    Shelley Winters in The Portrait of a Lady (1996)
    Mary-Louise Parker in The Portrait of a Lady (1996)
    Director Jane Campion, with daughter, discusses a scene with two actresses.

    Top cast

    Edit
    Nicole Kidman
    Nicole Kidman
    • Isabel Archeras Isabel Archer
    John Malkovich
    John Malkovich
    • Gilbert Osmondas Gilbert Osmond
    Barbara Hershey
    Barbara Hershey
    • Madame Serena Merleas Madame Serena Merle
    Martin Donovan
    Martin Donovan
    • Ralph Touchettas Ralph Touchett
    Mary-Louise Parker
    Mary-Louise Parker
    • Henrietta Stackpoleas Henrietta Stackpole
    Shelley Winters
    Shelley Winters
    • Mrs. Touchettas Mrs. Touchett
    Richard E. Grant
    Richard E. Grant
    • Lord Warburtonas Lord Warburton
    Shelley Duvall
    Shelley Duvall
    • Countess Geminias Countess Gemini
    Christian Bale
    Christian Bale
    • Edward Rosieras Edward Rosier
    Viggo Mortensen
    Viggo Mortensen
    • Caspar Goodwoodas Caspar Goodwood
    Valentina Cervi
    Valentina Cervi
    • Pansy Osmondas Pansy Osmond
    John Gielgud
    John Gielgud
    • Mr. Touchettas Mr. Touchett
    Roger Ashton-Griffiths
    Roger Ashton-Griffiths
    • Bob Bantlingas Bob Bantling
    Catherine Zago
    • Mother Superioras Mother Superior
    Alessandra Vanzi
    • Nun #2as Nun #2
    Amy Lindsay
    Amy Lindsay
    • Miss Molyneux #1as Miss Molyneux #1
    • (as Katie Campbell)
    Katherine Anne Porter
    • Miss Molyneux #2as Miss Molyneux #2
    Eddy Seager
    • Strongman's Spruikeras Strongman's Spruiker
    • Director
      • Jane Campion
    • Writers
      • Henry James(novel)
      • Laura Jones(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      First collaboration between Director Jane Campion and Nicole Kidman. However, it was Campion who discovered Kidman, where she, at the age of fourteen, was performing at Australian Theater for Young People and subsequently caught the eye of Campion.
    • Goofs
      During the ball scene, a full orchestra can be heard while only a chamber orchestra (less than ten people) appears on the screen.
    • Quotes

      Ralph Touchett: I love you but without hope.

    • Crazy credits
      Jane Campion thanks her family, Colin, Alice and Richard, for their generous support, suggestions and encouragement during the making of this film.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Michael/Mother/The People vs. Larry Flynt/The Evening Star/The Portrait of a Lady/I'm Not Rappaport (1996)
    • Soundtracks
      Impromptu in A Flat Major, Op 90 No. 4, D899
      (1828)

      Composed by Franz Schubert

      Adapted for screen by Brian Lock

      Performed by Jean-Yves Thibaudet (as Jean Yves Thibaudet)

      Courtesy of Decca Records Company Ltd.

    User reviews73

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    A cool, enigmatic film, but stylish...
    An interesting film with an undercurrent of sexual repression similar to that in Campion's other films. Nicole Kidman is excellent, given the material, though her transition from likeable, virtuous innocent to a cold and corrupted woman doesn't ring as true as it should--the three years glossed over with a subtitle isn't adequate to show the change. I blame this on the interpretation, direction, and/or editing rather than Kidman's performance, however. Malkovich is not as strong, and one wonders what any woman could see in him as a lover.

    The ending is cold and unsettling. Most filmgoers prefer to know that their hero/heroine is "safe" at the end of the story. Here, who knows ?

    Production values are good, and the film is quite stylish with interesting use of camera tilt, lighting, and angles. It's quite artsy. I am glad I saw the film, but acknowledge it's not likely to be everyone's cup of tea.
    helpful•25
    4
    • Kiwi-7
    • Sep 13, 1998

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 17, 1997 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • Портрет леді
    • Filming locations
      • Palazzo Pfanner, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy
    • Production companies
      • Polygram Filmed Entertainment
      • Propaganda Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $3,692,836
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $107,819
      • Dec 29, 1996
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,692,836
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 24 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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