Customer Reviews

Painted Lady

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

"Painted Lady" is 100% unpredictable. This one is impossible to get to the root of (solve) the mystery till the very end, so don't cheat yourself and skip immediately to the last scene selection. The facts behind who-dun-it and the ever changing mystery of why, are what makes this movie. That is why the Chicago Tribune labeled it "Deliciously Complex." That it is. For 190 minutes of its 198 minute length, you'll constantly wonder who or why.

Helen Mirren, is wonderful, in and out of her clothing. Her character, ex-singer Maggie Sheridan, seems to make friends with many, but it is the murder of Sir Charles, whom Maggie considered "like a father", that sets her on the hunt for the killer. And a search for a lost painting. The mystery becomes a tapestry of clues related to drugs, homosexual activity, murder, art trade (legal and illegal), and robbery. Maggie uses anyone and everyone in her quest. All she seems to find are more questions. She uses anyone, legal or illegal, man or woman, crook or cop, enemies and family, in her search for answers. She uses her own created alias of an art-loving rich countess. Her sister helps her learn a bit of art history, but just enough to get herself into many fixes.

The movie does get a little graphic in places, so it's not for the squeamish or the kiddies. Nothing like an attackers brains being blown across her pretty face to wake up Maggie to more danger. In Maggie's effort to help Sir Charles' son with his financial woes, he gets strung up clad only in his briefs, then used for crossbow target practice. Well, get the picture? This British mystery, unrated, is NOT G. The cover includes a splat and run of blood in the upper right corner--there's a reason for that.

Extras include subtitles although even though most of the activity takes place in England, it is easy to understand, not strong accent. Helen Mirren also has a written bio to read and a huge list of credits to her career.

Painted Lady is more than just a robbery gone bad ending in a murder. It is about the mysterious discoveries of a half dozen or more characters involved with the mishap. Each new discovery leads to who? what? when? where? and why?

Well, I tried to leave you a warning for those needing it related to nudity, blood, and sexual situations. But, also I'd encourage mystery fans. Bet you won't solve it any faster than Maggie did.

Helen Mirren's arguably one of the best actresses today. Who else could make Britain's Queen come to life on the screen with dignity and grace?

In Masterpiece Theatre's "Painted Lady," she plays Maggie Sheridan, an aging rock star who's taken shelter in the guest house of a family friend and father figure. When he's murdered over a painting, she goes undercover to solve the crime.

This is an intricate mystery that takes some deliciously unpredictable turns before the story comes to its conclusion. Definitely not a film you will want to see uninterrupted, you do not want to miss a thread or you will be lost.

Warning -- this is not family fare. You have nudity, gore, and some torture depicted in this film. "Painted Lady" is definitely an art treasure on its own, well worth watching and owning.

Rebecca Kyle, September 2009

"Painted Lady," is a British mystery/crime thriller/drama, made as a television mini-series by Granada for the United Kingdom's associated independent television stations (ITV). It was shown here on the Public Broadcasting System's "Masterpiece Theatre" in 1998 and 2000. It stars Oscar, Emmy-winning, and highly-admired actress Helen Mirren (Prime Suspect - Complete Collection (10 Disc Set) ; The Queen), in a part that might have been written for her, and probably was, by the talented Allen Cubitt(Prime Suspect 2). It was helmed by the equally-talented Julian Jarrold (Brideshead Revisited; Becoming Jane). And Mirren herself, who undoubtedly had quite a lot to do with this production, takes an Associate Producer credit on it; as does Rebecca Eaton, of Boston Station WGBH, "Masterpiece Theatre's"long-time Executive Producer. It's a two-part series that runs approximately 198 minutes, and, wonderfully enough, it's got subtitles, too.

Mirren gives every sign of having a ball playing Maggie Sheridan, former 1960's British blues crooner, now semi-retired, living in the lushest green Irish countryside, with wine glass in one hand, cigarette in the other, and boy toy not far. She's got a "diamond" or whatever stud in her nose, and is at ease in her old hippie gear. Until, that is, a robbery goes very wrong,leaving her friend and benefactor Sir Charles Stafford (Ian Cuthbertson,Gorillas in the Mist) dead, one of his most valuable paintings stolen. Maggie wants to find her friend's masterpiece, and his killer, so she insinuates herself into the art trade. She poses as a wealthy Polish countess, and she's off to glamorous auctions, hotels, restaurants, and such, in London and New York. Gone is the hippie gear, in favor of smart suits and signature jewelry. Suspense mounts, particularly after Maggie hooks up again with her close friend, Sir Charles's deeply troubled son Sebastian (Iain Glen, Adam Bede). Other strong supporting turns are contributed by Lesley Manville (All Or Nothing) as her sister Susie Peel; Michael Maloney (Truly Madly Deeply) as her brother-in-law Oliver Peel; Franco Nero (Camelot)as Robert Tassi,an important Italian-American New York art dealer, and John Kavanagh (The Tudors - The Complete First Season), as Michael Longley, an Irish gangland chief. The mystery centers on a real painting by the real 17th century Italian Artemisia Gentileschi, the first woman to make a name for herself in the heavily male-dominated art field, and a true feminist hero.

It so happens that once I met friends for a drink in the bar of New York's Algonquin Hotel, a theater district landmark made legendary for the wit of its "Round Table," of carousing writers and performers, Dorothy Parker, Alexander Woollcott, the Marx Brothers and company; and there was Mirren, enjoying a drink or three, and chatting amiably with her neighbors. She appeared to have been enjoying painting the town red; even as she appears to be enjoying painting a couple of towns red in "Painted Lady." I enjoyed watching her, and expect you will, too.

What starts off as being your average Masterpiece Thetre gig turns out to be something to savour rather than castoff.

Very reminiscent of the Long Good Friday which coincidentally stars Helen Mirren, this mini-series has judicious elements which combine to form a coherent whole which Mirren Makes all of her own.

The series itself is compelling viewing, intertwining various, shall we say, less than great aspects, and transforming it into an elegant mystery that could have served as a vehicle for the redoubtable Inspector Morse.

Some parts are frankly incredulous, such as the character of an ex-rock star metamorphosising into a titled Eurpoean art thief, but they enhance the mystery rather than detract from it.

Overall, it is a good use of 3 to 4 hours which leaves a feeling of satisfaction from it's consumption rather than a bitter aftertaste, and which leaves one with a lasting impression of why Helen Mirren can be a great actress.

I admit I had to watch this production twice before I absorbed its intense flavors, but it is well worth the effort. Helen, as always, gives a wonderful performance as a washed up rock star who "turns into" a Russian contessa. Plot and subplot are somewhat deep, but delightful when recognized. One of my favorites by Helen.

This tale was specifically crafted for Helen Mirren. It's quite off the beaten path of Prime Suspect. I have watched this several times & every time, I find something I missed previously. It takes your complete attention & a working mind to follow its many twists & turns. Yet like any maze, you are well rewarded upon completion. You cannot sit back, relax and expect it to just fall into your lap. And if you are really paying attention, the entire tale is told in the first 20 minutes.

As you've no doubt read, it involves a once famous but now greatly faded folk-rock singer who is literally saved from a drug addled death by friend, Sebastian (Iain Glen). She now lives on his father's estate(Ian Cuthbertson) & on his largess. When he is murdered in an art theft gone awry, Maggie (Mirren) makes it her duty to find the killer. She's sure that if she can find the stolen painting, it will lead her straight to the killer.

Sebastian returns home for the funeral with huge troubles of his own. He's accumulated a large dept with a notorious drug lord. But 1st things 1st. His father's death brings its own disconcerting issues. He had an important & valuable art collection no one even knew existed. How it came into his possession is an even bigger mystery.

Maggie escapes Ireland for London by posing as her real self, a Polish countess. She figures the killer will eventually have to sell the painting & she'll catch him when he does. Enter her much younger half sister Susie Peel (Lesley Manville) an art historian & her art agent husband Oliver (Michael Maloney). They are incredulous that she would even try to do what has taken them years to learn; how to become a respected art buyer. Yet Susie is intrigued by the picture of the painting that was stolen. She believes rather than a copy, it is an original work by the female artist Artemisia Gentileschi. Maggie's complete transformation into the countess is their 1st clue that she's really serious about this. To their surprise she proves a very quick study. But, where to start? Ah, an art auction in NYC where she will inauspiciously make her presence known by buying two important paintings. One for a client of Oliver's and one for him that he believes just may be the touched up lost van Dyke portrait of the "Countess of Sussex." (Interestingly, everything said in reference to the art & artists is true. That painting really is missing.)

Meanwhile Sebastian, while going through his father's papers & old 8mm movies, makes some startling discoveries of his own. One's that help him better understand the father he never felt connected to in life, he now sadly finds in his death. It leads him on a mission of his own.

All these diverse stories seem to be completely unrelated. But as you wind your way through, you realize they all converge. You are following the branches that all lead to but one vine. This intriguing juxtaposition & entwining keeps you guessing up until the very last frame.

The art work frames the story and in places actually tells it. Watch for humorous interposing of the actors posing as famous paintings. Blink and you'll miss them. This is a thought provoking journey, well worth taking.

Item was as described or better, arrived very quickly, professionally packed. Recommended. Great Helen Miren UK Mystery DVD.

Heln Murrin's "Painted Lady" is a diffent type of Helen Murrin movie. I would call it her "first detective" experience. It's good but you have to be willing to look at her in another deminsion. Also, the ending is just that--it ends. You're left with the feeling of "OK, now what?"

I think Helen Mirren is a great actress and for her to do a movie like this!! My 1 star rating was generous as it was awful and had no plot at all, unless I missed something. Would not recommend this movie to anyone.

I'm usually a big Helen Mirren fan, and I love British mysteries, but geez Louise if this isn't one of the least believable, most convoluted things I've ever seen. Mirren plays Maggie Sheridan a formerly successful blues singer, who goes undercover as a Polish countess art expert to investigate the death of her mentor/father figure. One minute she's got a nose ring and is sleeping with a scraggly rock star wannabe, the next she is flirting with Italian millionaires and bidding on Goyas. The ease with which you believe such a transition could occur is likely to highly influence your viewing experience. The pace is leisurely, the plot meandering, the payoff underwhelming. Watch Prime Suspect instead if you want to see Mirren in a mystery.