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Helen Mirren fans will delight in this 1997 Brit-mystery TV film (originally a miniseries) that reportedly was written expressly for her by its writer, Allan Cubitt. Painted Lady equal parts a character study of a remarkable woman (faded blues singer Maggie Sheridan, played by Mirren) and an enthralling murder mystery involving the European art underworld. And a grisly world that is. Mirren’s reclusive Sheridan has taken up residence at the grand Irish estate of her friend Sir Charles Stafford and his troubled son, Sebastian (Iain Glen), and seems content to make her music for a much smaller audience than in her heyday--a handsome young boy toy who may or may not have ulterior motives. When Sir Charles is murdered, Maggie is compelled to help track him down, which means donning a disguise as a wealthy art patron trolling through the art underground looking for a painting stolen at the time of the slaying. Mirren is as deft at playing Maggie the talented almost-has-been singer as she is a fired-up but naïve private investigator. Maggie has none of the street smarts of Mirren’s Prime Suspect character, Jane Tennison--but there’s a steely determination the characters share. Painted Lady is a gripping crime thriller starring one of the best actresses ever. Fancy that? -- A.T. Hurley Oscar-winner Helen Mirren delivers a tour-de-force performance in this Masterpiece Theatre mystery as a washed-up rock singer drawn into the deadly underworld of the art trade. Anyone looking for a gritty, superbly acted whodunit will find a gem in Painted Lady. -- Movie City News Complex, intriguing and highly entertaining. -- MemorableTV.com Helen Mirren sparkles. -- San Jose Mercury News It's timeless, a true masterpiece of a mystery -- San Antonio Express News Jane Seymour's portrayal of the utterly evil Cathy is by itself worth the price of the set. -- Brattleboro Reformer (VT) Mirren dominates with her sharp intelligence and ability to assume character effortlessly. -- Shepherd Express entertainment newspaper She's never less than riveting -- San Francisco Chronicle Superb... keeps you captivated the whole time. -- Blogcritics Magazine Review: As Layered as an Oil Painting - I remember this miniseries from when it first aired, particularly the scene where Helen Mirren's character lies back in the bath just like the lady in a well-known painting. It's just one scene that mirrors the works of art at the center of the plot. Like so many Masterpiece Theater productions, this one is rich in writing, performances, settings, cinematography, wardrobe -- everything. The plot is also many-layered, though sometimes a bit hard to follow. Mirren's portrayal of Maggie Sheridan is flawless: the beyond-her-prime singer, the former abuser of substances and product of failed relationships, the actress within the performer who can take on a whole other personna she didn't know was in her, the 'woman of a certain age' with all that connotes. Americans had just gotten to really know her on Prime Suspect when this whole great reach of other characterization was broadcast. It's lovely on many levels, even in the ugliness of some of the plot twists. But Maggie Sheridan becomes as real a person to us as someone we've known in our own mid-life, and she's worth the knowing after all. Review: They don't come damaged - Love this movie
| Contributor | Angus Wright, Barry Barnes, Chooi Kheng-Beh, Chris Gill, Don Paul, Franco Nero, Gabriel Thomson, Grace Boyle, Gregory McFarnon, Helen Mirren, Iain Cuthbertson, Iain Glen, John Kavanagh, Judi Trott, Julian Jarrold, Karl Geary, Lesley Manville, Lorelei King, Michael Liebman, Michael Maloney, Peter Gunn, Peter Harkness, Peter Middleton, Peter Salem, Robert Portal, Roland Gift, Rupert Vansittart, Sally Ann Barber, Sam Douglas Contributor Angus Wright, Barry Barnes, Chooi Kheng-Beh, Chris Gill, Don Paul, Franco Nero, Gabriel Thomson, Grace Boyle, Gregory McFarnon, Helen Mirren, Iain Cuthbertson, Iain Glen, John Kavanagh, Judi Trott, Julian Jarrold, Karl Geary, Lesley Manville, Lorelei King, Michael Liebman, Michael Maloney, Peter Gunn, Peter Harkness, Peter Middleton, Peter Salem, Robert Portal, Roland Gift, Rupert Vansittart, Sally Ann Barber, Sam Douglas See more |
| Customer Reviews | 4.2 out of 5 stars 93 Reviews |
| Format | Color, Dolby, Full Screen, Multiple Formats, NTSC, Subtitled |
| Genre | Mystery & Thrillers |
| Language | English |
| Runtime | 3 hours and 18 minutes |
B**0
As Layered as an Oil Painting
I remember this miniseries from when it first aired, particularly the scene where Helen Mirren's character lies back in the bath just like the lady in a well-known painting. It's just one scene that mirrors the works of art at the center of the plot. Like so many Masterpiece Theater productions, this one is rich in writing, performances, settings, cinematography, wardrobe -- everything. The plot is also many-layered, though sometimes a bit hard to follow. Mirren's portrayal of Maggie Sheridan is flawless: the beyond-her-prime singer, the former abuser of substances and product of failed relationships, the actress within the performer who can take on a whole other personna she didn't know was in her, the 'woman of a certain age' with all that connotes. Americans had just gotten to really know her on Prime Suspect when this whole great reach of other characterization was broadcast. It's lovely on many levels, even in the ugliness of some of the plot twists. But Maggie Sheridan becomes as real a person to us as someone we've known in our own mid-life, and she's worth the knowing after all.
P**N
They don't come damaged
Love this movie
M**E
Murder and Art Theft
A compelling murder mystery (supposedly conceived as a means for Helen Mirren to distance herself a bit from her long-running "Inspector Jane Tennyson" character) involving art theft that cleverly weaves the life and art of 17th century Italian painter Artemisia Gentileschi into the story. This story should definitely appeal to Mirren's fans, as well as those who love art.
S**N
The Painted Lady
I found it and extremely complex plot to follow. The acting was of course quite superb but the rapid changes of location became very confusing.
J**D
Strong Acting
I liked the acting in this movie. I found it through a search for Helen Mirren films. However, the plot really does not make sense and the ending is abrupt and there is no resolution and explanation. The characters do inexplicable things so the action on which the entire film is based makes no sense. In addition, the scenes jump around and one thinks, what just happened? So, why did a rate it a four? Because the film stayed on my mind when most do not.
A**4
Still a pleasure.
I bought the DVD to replace the videoptape. An entertaining introduction to the dark side of art collection, and the acting of Helen Mirren amd company. Still enjoyable.
W**N
Happy to find this on Amazon
This was a Christmas gift for my father-in-law. He mentioned that he really liked the PBS series and he loves Helen Mirren. I was very happy to find this on Amazon. I had this shipped to another address and there was no problem or mix-up. Product arrived quickly and as advertised.
B**D
Very violent, rather ridiculous plot, creepy
I can't really fault the acting in "Painted Lady", and the package warns about "nudity and sexual situations", but the script is ridiculous, the storyline is implausible, and some scenes are WAY too violent for my taste. Early on when the dog turned up dead, I knew it was going too far, and that was before the human torture scenes. Maybe the homoerotic elements were more shocking and taboo at the time this film was made, but the general mood of the film overall is just plain creepy. I don't mind ambiguity and loose ends in drama, and thought the plot would entertain me because of my interest in art, but I found myself wishing my dvd player had an "un-see" button.
Trustpilot
2 weeks ago
2 weeks ago