The Portrait of a Lady

Typical Jane Campion crap. She's' such a hack.

Holy shit. Unsure why this movie isn't more revered. Incredible cast, beautifully directed, shot and scored. Nicole Kidman really is a goddess level actress. Unsung masterpiece.

It's somehow reassuring that Martin Donovan is almost as bad at growing a mustache as I am...

Of all the Victorian melodramas filled with upper-class twits whose only worry in the world is whom they and/or their kin should fuck and/or marry next, Campion's adaptation of James is one of the least boring. It also boasts an all-star cast, although some of them ham it up a little, and I have no idea why everyone was fawning over Nicole Kidman's drab heroine all the time.

#16#, exp3, rw2, cast

Worked at times for me as a very subtextual doomed romance between two women, but it's mostly not great. I haven't read the book, yet I still get the feeling that too much was removed to keep the plot compelling; there's a very boring section near the middle where Malkovich, who seems to have no motivation but to be evil, breaks down the formerly strong Kidman character, who seems to have no motivation but to be a victim. Oh, and what the fuck was with the opening credits? That was embarrassing!

Passes the time.

Solid. Although it lacks this certain something that made the book

Most points go to John Malkovich for being the most likeable asshole I've seen in a while.

An examination of a womans thoughts and fears, Kidman and Hershey both deliver multi-layered performances of great intensity, and Campion shines the most in the dream sequences.

There's enough story, characterization, depth of feeling, insight, etc. here for about nine movies. It doesn't all work, but be advised everyone, this is an awesome achievement from Ms. Campion and crew.