Portrait of Jennie
by William Dieterle
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Actor: Cecil Kellaway, Ethel Barrymore, Jennifer Jones, Joseph Cotten, Lillian GishDirector: William Dieterle
Brand: Sony
Producer: Cecil Barker
Writer: Ben Hecht
Writer: David O. Selznick
Writer: Leonardo Bercovici
Writer: Paul Osborn
Writer: Peter Berneis
Writer: Robert Nathan
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: Hebrew (Unknown); English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 1.0
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 86 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-10-19
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
DVD Reviews of Portrait of Jennie
DVD Review: Fans of Ghost and Mrs. Muir and Somewhere in Time will adore Portrait of Jennie
Summary: 4 Stars
Jennifer Jones (The Song of Bernadette) and Joseph Cotten star in Portrait of Jennie, a 1948 film that revolved around a painter's obsession with a beautiful, mysterious girl who seems to live more in the past than the present. Eben Adams (Cotten) is a washed-up painter on hard times and lacks inspiration until he meets Jennie (Jones) in a New York park. Jennie has an unusual way of speaking about past events as though they are current (referring to Germany's kaiser, and to theaters that had been demolished). Her fresh-faced beauty appeals to Adams, and Jennie makes the wish that he wait for her to grow up so that they can be together.
Jennie's sporadic appearances allow time for Eben to work on other commissions, and to research Jennie more carefully by interviewing people who had worked with her parents (famous high-wire circus performers). Inevitably, dark truths are uncovered that disturb Eben's "painting-perfect" romance with the soft-spoken, beautiful Jennie. His portrait of her is a testament to his love and brings him artistic fame. Eben is also introduced to Miss Spinney (Ethel Barrymore), a headstrong old maid who deals in paintings and who wants to see Eben produce something more spiritual. Other notable names include Lillian Gish as Mother Mary of Mercy, Cecil Kellaway as Matthews, and a young Nancy Davis Reagan in the art gallery.
Joseph Cotten is an engaging narrator, and his growing dependence on Jennie and his depression over Jennie's long absences is utterly believable (if a bit melodramatic). Jennifer Jones has more to work with here than in her first Oscar-winning role as Bernadette, although seeing a well-proportioned twentysomething trying to portray prepubescent innocence was a little bit creepy (see: Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz (Two-Disc Special Edition)). Her character ages rapidly both physically and psychologically, so Jones was able to display a range of emotions, from a childhood crush to deeper musings on the nature of love and faith. Some of the secondary characters suffer from disappearing Irish accents; others shamelessly (sometimes woodenly) overact.
The film follows several conventions of its time, and appears dated. The "special effects" are pretty standard; several scale models are used and a green tint is used for the final scenes. There are some beautifully dreamy shots of New York City, and the fabulous effect of having shots appear as though they were painted on canvas. The DVD transfer features some artifacts and print flaws. There are no extras to speak of. However, fans of time-travel romances The Ghost and Mrs. Muirand Somewhere in Time (Collector's Edition) will enjoy Portrait of Jennie, although the strongest film of this genre is undoubtedly The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. Despite its shortcomings, Portrait of Jennie is a pretty decent love story.
Description of Portrait of Jennie
One of the most unusual romances ever filmed, Portrait of Jennie is the picture of sumptuousperfection. Starring Joseph Cotten (Citizen Kane) and OscarĀ(r) winner* Jennifer Jones (A Farewell to Arms) in a 'sensitive, appealing performance (The Hollywood Reporter), this 'tender [and] poetic (Variety) tale is enthralling from its touching beginning to its haunting conclusion. When struggling artist Eben Adams (Cotten) meets the beautiful and mysterious Jennie (Jones), he is instantly captivated. Before long, Jennie has become his great muse and he is enjoying success and bliss beyond his dreams. But there is a price to pay for such elation, and soon Eben must face the truth about who Jennie really is. *1943: Actress, The Song of BernadetteBestsellers in DVD
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