The Portrait of a Lady (1996)

Based on a hopefully better reading novel by Henry James, Jane Campion and screenwriter Laura Jones bring a cold and boring adaptation to the screen, helped some by three performances you would never have expected. There are some films that rub you the wrong way, and this is one. Campion tries everything to keep the viewer interested, but the story is so slowly paced and boring, I felt bad for all involved. The film was not a total loss. Viggo Mortensen, Martin Donovan, and Richard E. Grant turn in some of the best work of their careers. Donovan is the biggest revelation, looking completely at home in this blue costume drama. Kidman spends most of the film crying, Malkovich plays Osmond like a serial killer, and Hershey is so restrained that her final outpouring of emotion in a scene with Malkovich and then later with Kidman seems out of place and out of character.

There is no passion shown for "The Portrait of a Lady," neither as a film or a piece of literature. This is an exercise in how to dress up a period drama for today's audience, yet still get it wrong. Call this "Portrait of a Bored Reviewer."

Stats:
(1996) 144 min. (3/10)
-Directed by Jane Campion
-Screenplay by Laura Jones based on the novel by Henry James
-Cast: Nicole Kidman, John Malkovich, Barbara Hershey, Martin Donovan, Viggo Mortensen, Richard E. Grant, Mary-Louise Parker, Shelley Winters, John Gielgud, Shelley Duvall, Christian Bale, Valentina Cervi, Roger Ashton-Griffiths
(PG-13)
*Academy Awards*
-Best Supporting Actress- Barbara Hershey (lost to Juliette Binoche "The English Patient")
-Best Costume Design (lost to "The English Patient")