The Portrait of a Lady

  • 1996
  • PG-13
  • 144m
movieMx RATING
6.0/10251
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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Performance & Direction: The Portrait of a Lady Review

Last updated: February 6, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 6, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Portrait of a Lady (1996) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Portrait of a Lady features a noteworthy lineup led by Nicole Kidman . Supported by the likes of John Malkovich and Barbara Hershey , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Portrait of a Lady (1996) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.0/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Portrait of a Lady stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: The Portrait of a Lady

Quick Plot Summary: The Portrait of a Lady is a Drama, Romance film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: The Portrait of a Lady

Ending Breakdown: The Portrait of a Lady concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Portrait of a Lady reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The Portrait of a Lady?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments

Box Office Collection: The Portrait of a Lady

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Worldwide Gross $3.7M
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT
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Top Cast: The Portrait of a Lady

All Cast & Crew →
Nicole Kidman
Nicole KidmanIsabel Archer
John Malkovich
John MalkovichGilbert Osmond
Barbara Hershey
Barbara HersheyMadame Serena Merle
Mary-Louise Parker
Mary-Louise ParkerHenrietta Stackpole
Christian Bale
Christian BaleEdward Rosier
Shelley Winters
Shelley WintersMrs. Touchett
Richard E. Grant
Richard E. GrantLord Warburton
Shelley Duvall
Shelley DuvallCountess Gemini
John Gielgud
John GielgudMr. Touchett
Viggo Mortensen
Viggo MortensenCaspar Goodwood
Martin Donovan
Martin DonovanRalph Touchett
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Where to Watch The Portrait of a Lady Online?

Streaming Hub

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The Portrait of a Lady Parents Guide & Age Rating

1996 Advisory
PG-13

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Portrait of a Lady age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Portrait of a Lady is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Portrait of a Lady is 144 minutes (2h 24m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Portrait of a Lady is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1996 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for The Portrait of a Lady. Rating: 6.0/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Portrait of a Lady worth watching?

The Portrait of a Lady is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Portrait of a Lady parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Portrait of a Lady identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Portrait of a Lady?

The total duration of The Portrait of a Lady is 144 minutes, which is approximately 2h 24m long.

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How The Portrait of a Lady Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Portrait of a Lady

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.0
The Portrait of a Lady
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