The Portrait of a Lady (1996): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
The Portrait of a Lady is a 1996 romantic drama directed by Jane Campion, starring John Malkovich, Nicole Kidman and Barbara Hershey. It is partly based on The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James and Philip Horne. It runs 2 hours 24 minutes and earned $3.7 million worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Musical or Comedy (Supporting Actress) at the Golden Globes 1997. Critics gave it 60 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 24m (144 min)
- Director
- Jane Campion
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Gramercy Pictures (I)
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Portrait of a Lady About?
The premise of The Portrait of a Lady without spoilers, adapted from The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James and Philip Horne. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A spirited young woman, Isabel Archer, inherits a generous fortune and travels to Europe seeking independence and experience. She finds herself caught in a web of complex relationships and societal expectations, particularly as she becomes involved with the mysterious and wealthy Edward Rosier. As Isabel explores her newfound freedom and pursues a romantic connection, she gradually discovers the hidden consequences of wealth and the subtle ways privilege influences personal identity and true happiness.
The Portrait of a Lady Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- female director
- based on novel
- female rear nudity
- period drama
- female filmmaker
- male cousin female cousin relationship
- daughter sits on her father's lap
- incestuous overtones
- female star appears topless
- in love with female cousin
- breast fondling
- in love with a cousin
+38 more Show fewer
- sexual fantasy
- cousins relationship
- american in europe
- manipulative husband
- jealous husband
- daddy's girl
- man fondles a woman's breasts
- 1870s
- three men in love with same woman
- kissing cousins
- man touches a woman's face
- heat prostration
- unconscious woman
- waltzing
- male cousin attracted to female cousin
- tuberculosis
- bequest
- wealth and privilege
- manipulated
- reference to franz schubert
- victorian era
- death of uncle
- dying man
- redheaded woman
- female cousin
- female topless nudity
- woman wears a veil
- sexual tension
- incest
- cousin cousin incest
- american
- art
- girl
- europe
- friendship
- artist
- sexuality
- f rated
The Portrait of a Lady Cast
John Malkovich leads the cast, with Nicole Kidman and Barbara Hershey. Directed by Jane Campion; 4 actors are credited in all.
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Director Jane Campion
More from Jane Campion
More films directed by Jane Campion, best-rated first: The Piano, The Power of the Dog, An Angel at My Table and Bright Star.
The Portrait of a Lady Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Portrait of a Lady 60 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 60 Metascore
User score 6.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 60% User score
See on TMDB
The Portrait of a Lady Plot Summary
What happens in The Portrait of a Lady from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Isabel Archer, a strikingly beautiful woman, has faced the advances of many suitors, unflinchingly rejecting the affections of both the wealthy Lord Warburton and the persistent Caspar Goodwood, whose appearance in her life was orchestrated by Henrietta, a devoted friend who harbored genuine care for Isabel. This fiercely independent woman, known for her strong will and resolute sense of identity, caught the attention of her cousin Ralph Touchett, who convinced his father—Isabel’s uncle—to leave her a generous inheritance, thereby granting her the freedom to live according to her own desires. After her uncle passed away, Isabel was left with a vast fortune, changing the course of her narrative.
Full summary
The whole story of The Portrait of a Lady, scene by scene
The Portrait of a Lady Box Office
The Portrait of a Lady grossed $3.7 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$3.7M
- US & Canada
- $3.7M
The Portrait of a Lady Awards & Nominations
The Portrait of a Lady earned 1 award nomination, including Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Musical or Comedy (Supporting Actress) at the Golden Globes 1997.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Golden Globes 1997 1 nomination- Nominated Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Musical or Comedy (Supporting Actress) – Barbara Hershey
The Portrait of a Lady Trailers & Videos
6 videos: 1 trailer, 4 clips and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Clip Clip 1
- Clip Clip 2
- Clip Clip 3
- Clip The Final Kiss
How Well Do You Know The Portrait of a Lady?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is Isabel Archer's cousin that urges her to accept her inheritance?
The Portrait of a Lady Also Known As
23 alternative titles, including “Retrato de una dama” and “Portrait de femme”.
- Also known as
-
- Retrato de una dama
- Portrait de femme
- Das Porträt einer Lady
- 여인의 초상
- Retrato de Uma Senhora
- 淑女本色
- Ritratto di signora
- Bir Kadının Portresi
- Портрет леди
- Egy hölgy arcképe
- Retrato de uma Mulher
- דיוקנה של גברת
+11 more Show fewer
- Retratos de uma Mulher
- Το Πορτρέτο μιας Κυρίας
- Portrét dámy
- Portret damy
- Портрет на една дама
- Портрет леді
- ある貴婦人の肖像
- 妮可基嫚之風情萬種, ლედის პორტრეტი
- Retrat d’una dama
- Portræt af en kvinde
- Porträtt av en dam
Seen The Portrait of a Lady?
Movies Like The Portrait of a Lady
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Portrait of a Lady on Fire, The Governess and The Lady Refuses.
The Portrait of a Lady FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of The Portrait of a Lady, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Portrait of a Lady?
The Portrait of a Lady runs 2 hours 24 minutes (144 minutes).
When was The Portrait of a Lady released?
The Portrait of a Lady was released on December 24, 1996.
Who directed The Portrait of a Lady?
The Portrait of a Lady was directed by Jane Campion.
More films by Jane Campion Who is in the cast of The Portrait of a Lady?
The Portrait of a Lady stars John Malkovich, Nicole Kidman and Barbara Hershey, among 4 credited actors.
How much did The Portrait of a Lady make at the box office?
The Portrait of a Lady grossed $3.7 million worldwide.
How is The Portrait of a Lady rated?
The Portrait of a Lady has 60 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.
Is The Portrait of a Lady based on a book?
Yes. The Portrait of a Lady is partly adapted from The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James and Philip Horne.
Was The Portrait of a Lady nominated for any awards?
The Portrait of a Lady received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
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