Review of The Portrait of a Lady (1996) by Luca V — 17 Mar 2008

This is the story of Isabel Archer, who is surrounded by men. Exactly four men. Three of them love her, but she marries the fourth, which is a penniless dandy, and a failure as a painter.

It I the allegory of Nicole Kidman' life: she always chooses the wrong man.

Jane Campion gives us a prophetical explanation for Kidmans second husband addiction. The best friend of archer is a journalist, performed by Mary Louise Parker who became famous in the role of Nancy Botwin, the Weed dealer.

You should watch this movie if you want to remember Kidman' s real face, which is now full of botox.

Obviously, as an Italian, my attention has been focused on Pansy Osmond played by a fellow countrywoman, Miss Valentina Cervi. Cervi is the only character whose Italian is as perfect as the English. The other Italian short words I heard in the film are useless or bad pronounced.

There is also a little role for the future Batman, Christian Bale as the lover of Pansy.

Cervi is the granddaughter of Gino Cervi, which was Maigret for the Television and moreover he was Peppone, the communist mayor of a small town, who is an opponent of the priest Don Camillo in the movies inspired by the satirical work of Guareschi.

A travel in the vices and virtues of the 19th century.