The story begins in 19th century England, where headstrong American Isabel
Archer (Nicole Kidman) shocks all who know her by turning down a marriage
proposal. Why this causes such a surprise is because the man who asked for
her hand was the exceedingly rich and respected Lord Warburton (Richard E.
Grant), and that Isabel's reason for refusing is that she wants to "begin by
getting a general impression of life .
As well as Lord Warburton, Isabel has no end of admirers Ralph
Touchett (Martin Donovan), her seriously ill but beloved cousin, desperately
adores her secretly, while fellow American Caspar Goodwood (Viggo
Mortensen) has actually traveled all the way from the States to declare his
undying love to Isabel, who rather maliciously criticizes both his looks and lack
of fortune, and orders him to return home.
At Ralph's request, Isabel is left a huge amount of money when his elderly father (John Gielgud) dies. It is at this time Isabel has been befriended by Madame Serena Merle (Barbara Hershey), a glamorously ageing spinster, who despite her affection for Isabel cannot help feeling resentment due to the younger woman's vitality and beauty. "I'd give a great deal to be your age again, Madame Merle bitterly tells Isabel, "to have my life before me...
The setting now takes place in Italy where, due to a scheme fueled by Madame Merle, Isabel is met and wooed by the penniless but ruthless Gilbert Osmond (John Malkovich), who marries Isabel simply to gain a fortune...
The Portrait of a Lady is a difficult film to watch. Visually stunning, the
English and Italian sets/locations cannot be faulted, and the gorgeous costume
designs were Oscar nominated. However, the story is told in such a cold and
calculated style that with a running time of 144 minutes one might have thought
director Jane Campion (The Piano) could have been more ruthless in the
editing suite.
Isabel Archer is brilliantly portrayed by Nicole Kidman, but the character herself does not win the audience's sympathy as much as she should. It is nigh on impossible to believe that sneering, balding and eerie John Malkovich would be the man someone as picky as Isabel would choose to marry.
Performances are generally very good Martin Donovan does a fine job as Isabel's devoted cousin Ralph, who spends the whole film coughing and spluttering on the verge of death, while Barbara Hershey steals the show as Isabel's so-called "friend Madame Merle, who is responsible for Isabel even meeting Gilbert Osmond in the first place the role won Hershey a well deserved Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Viggo Mortensen plays Caspar Goodwood, the American suitor who is snubbed by Isabel. Viggo fans will chuckle when they hear his character described as "ugly by Isabel and scoff when she sends him packing back to America. Viggo then disappears for most of the film, except for two pivotal scenes-the first is a bizarre dream sequence is which Isabel is sexually ravaged by Martin Donovan, Richard F. Grant AND Viggo! The second is in the final scene of the film, where he returns to Isabel after the end of her devastating marriage and the loss of her money. Once again he declares his love, finally making her realize what a fool she was not to have chosen him years before. [Hmm John Malkovich or Viggo Mortensen? God, it's a tough one!]
All in all, The Portrait of a Lady is NOT a must-see for die-hard Viggo fans.
TRIVIA: Although the film is set in the 19th century, the opening scene
is a puzzling montage of 20th century women discussing how exciting it is to
be kissed!