The first time I saw Jane Campion's "Portrait of a Lady," I disliked her interpretation of one of my favorite books. The film is aesthetically pleasing, stylish, and has a good presence, but I couldn't get past, what I felt then, was a bad ending. Just recently I watched the film again. I had a completely different experience. Suddenly I saw what Campion was doing, and some of it was brilliant. Especially the end. I know many people like to see that the protagonist is "safe" and "happy" and it appears that Kidman's character is not. But she is. The last scene is a cinematic triumph if scrutinized by a thoughtful watcher. Nicole Kidman does a wonderful job under Campion, as does Martin Donovan (if you read the book, he is perfect for the character). This film deserves a second look.
Review of The Portrait of a Lady
