The Portrait of a Lady

The Portrait of a Lady (1996)

  • 43% of critics liked it
    (28 reviews)

  • 49% of users liked it
    (6,992 ratings)

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 England to visit relatives. While her family's tragedy has left her penniless, Isabel's beauty… More

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PG-13,
Directed By
Written By
Laura Jones
Genres
Art House & International, Drama
In Theaters
Dec 24, 1996 Wide
PolyGram Video

Critic Reviews

  • Sarah Boslaugh, PopMatters

    The Portrait of a Lady is worth seeing for the locations, Stuart Dryburgh's cinematography, Wojciech Kilar's score, and those beautiful costumes and props.

  • Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

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

  • 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.

  • Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium

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

  • Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

    Not only slow but uninvolving.

Read all 7 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Emil K


    Uneven but very well acted and gorgeously shot film from always interesting Jane Campion who this time is using literary by Henry James' as an source for her emotionally complex costume-drama. The Portrait of a Lady is kinda film that keeps you oddly glued to the screen for… More

  • Leo L


    Fantastic!

  • Linda K


    Film not so good but Malkovich nailed it!

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Cast

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Trailers & Clips