The Portrait of a Lady (1996)
Based on the 1881 novel by Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady (1996) is a British-American film directed by Jane Campion and adapted by Laura Jones. Isabel Archer, a striking woman, has turned down multiple potential suitors including Lord Warburton and Caspar Goodwood, whom she had initially given hope to. Her close friend Henrietta arranges for Caspar’s visit, as she deeply cares for Isabel. Isabel’s fierce personality and independent nature are admired by her cousin Ralph Touchett, who convinces his father to give her money for financial freedom. After her uncle’s passing, Isabel inherits a fortune. During her travels, Isabel meets Madame Serena and takes an instant liking to her. However, upon learning of Isabel’s wealth, Serena hatches a plan to arrange a marriage between Isabel and her former lover Gilbert Osmond in Florence, Italy.
Gilbert, a widower, has a daughter named Pansy who was raised in a convent and is restricted from leaving the house without her father. Isabel becomes infatuated with Gilbert and agrees to marry him, despite Ralph’s warning that he is a ‘small man’ and not worthy of her dreams. This infuriates Isabel and she strikes Ralph, but he calmly expresses his love for her and acknowledges that it is hopeless. It is also apparent that Ralph’s health is deteriorating due to consumption. After their marriage, Gilbert treats Isabel kindly but this changes over time. She finds herself trapped in Rome, in an unhappy marriage with an abusive husband who isolates her from her friends. Eventually, Henrietta, Ralph, and Caspar all depart for England.
Date of download: 2015-11-11T17:22:34+00:00
Cast:  Nicole KidmanIsabel Archer  John MalkovichGilbert Osmond  Barbara HersheyMadame Serena Merle  Mary-Louise ParkerHenrietta Stackpole  Martin DonovanRalph Touchett  Shelley WintersMrs. Touchett  Richard E. GrantLord Warburton  Shelley DuvallCountess Gemini  Christian BaleEdward Rosier  Viggo MortensenCaspar Goodwood  Valentina CerviPansy Osmond  John GielgudMr. Touchett  Roger Ashton-GriffithsBob Bantling |
Based on the 1881 novel by Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady (1996) is a British-American film directed by Jane Campion and adapted by Laura Jones. Isabel Archer, a striking woman, has turned down multiple potential suitors including Lord Warburton and Caspar Goodwood, whom she had initially given hope to. Her close friend Henrietta arranges for Caspar’s visit, as she deeply cares for Isabel. Isabel’s fierce personality and independent nature are admired by her cousin Ralph Touchett, who convinces his father to give her money for financial freedom. After her uncle’s passing, Isabel inherits a fortune. During her travels, Isabel meets Madame Serena and takes an instant liking to her. However, upon learning of Isabel’s wealth, Serena hatches a plan to arrange a marriage between Isabel and her former lover Gilbert Osmond in Florence, Italy.
Gilbert, a widower, has a daughter named Pansy who was raised in a convent and is restricted from leaving the house without her father. Isabel becomes infatuated with Gilbert and agrees to marry him, despite Ralph’s warning that he is a ‘small man’ and not worthy of her dreams. This infuriates Isabel and she strikes Ralph, but he calmly expresses his love for her and acknowledges that it is hopeless. It is also apparent that Ralph’s health is deteriorating due to consumption. After their marriage, Gilbert treats Isabel kindly but this changes over time. She finds herself trapped in Rome, in an unhappy marriage with an abusive husband who isolates her from her friends. Eventually, Henrietta, Ralph, and Caspar all depart for England.
