COPIED FROM THE WEB PAGE OF THE CINEMA ARTS CENTRE

Critic's Choice:
Artforum film critic Amy Taubin presents
Jane Campion's film of Henry James'
PORTRAIT OF A LADY
Starring Nicole Kidman
Sunday, March 13 at 2:15pm

Artforum film critic Amy Taubin appears in person to introduce and lead a discussion on one of her favorite films: Jane Campion’s film of Henry James’ Portrait of a Lady, starring Nicole Kidman and John Malkovich. This luminous and haunting drama tells the tale of strong-willed and independent Isabel Archer, a wealthy young American heiress who travels to 19th century Europe. Isabel rejects the proposal of a seemingly decent and sensible English suitor, Lord Warburton (Richard E. Grant), because she wants to find her own destiny and identity first. However, her desire to look beyond safe choices makes her easy prey for the openly manipulative Madame Merle (Barbara Hershey) and her seductive but soulless friend Gilbert Osmond (Malkovich), an effete collector of art (and women). Campion’s bold and adventurous adaptation of James’ classic tale of innocence lost takes the viewer directly to the emotional heart of Isabel’s terrifying dilemma. (USA, 1996, 142 min., color • Director: Jane Campion • Cast: Nicole Kidman, John Malkovich, Barbara Hershey)

Amy Taubin is a contributing editor to Film Comment and Sight and Sound, writes regularly for Art Forum, and teaches at the School of Visual Arts in NYC

This program is sponsored by Weiser LLP Certified Public Accountants