Portrait of Jennie Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Portrait of Jennie Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 24, 2017

1948’s “Portrait of Jennie” is a romantic fantasy that’s very careful to introduce elements of the unreal, opening with narration that debates existential questions and offers two quotes from philosophical minds to help set the mood. It’s a lot of introductory work, but “Portrait of Jennie” is a strange movie (adapted from Robert Nathan novella) that requires the viewer to let go and join the narrative flow, leaving few answers to many questions.

In 1934, Eben (Joseph Cotten) is a starving artist who finds a muse in young Jennie (Jennifer Jones), completely charmed by the girl, who periodically returns to his life. Hoping to paint her portrait, Eben grows obsessed with the young woman, who grows radically with every encounter, sharing personal history that occurred long ago. The mystery at the heart of “Portrait of Jennie” is compelling, turning into a detective story of sorts as Eben sets out to establish his object of desire’s timeline, only to come up short, struggling to accept the unreal. The production sustains intrigue and adds cultural touches, specifically Irish ones, to the mix, and dramatics are tightened through discoveries as Eben begins to realize just what Jennie is or, more importantly, what she isn’t.

Portrait of Jennie Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation displays a lot of wear and tear on "Portrait of Jennie," which is hit with scratches and speckling, while two white lines of print fatigue on are noticeable in the final act. Detail is acceptable, but it battles age and glamour photography. However, a degree of clarity is there to appreciate locations and sets, along with emotive actors. Delineation has its milkier moments, but isn't too problematic. The climax of the picture is tinted green for dramatic effect, and some purplish blobs seep into the frame (which doesn't seem like an artistic choice).

Portrait of Jennie Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The default track for "Portrait of Jennie" is a 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix that provides a basic but effective listening experience that emphasizes dialogue exchanges and insistent scoring. More interesting (an unexplained) is a 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix that expands the picture's sonic reach during the film's climatic storm sequence, adding some crude surround activity as a way to envelop the listener. Again, there's no reason for this brief addition, but it's the livelier choice. Hiss and pops are detected either way.

Portrait of Jennie Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Troy Howarth.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:42, HD) is included.

Portrait of Jennie Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Cotten brings gravitas to his performance, tasked with milking melodrama, but he makes the character and his growing obsessions as real as possible. Jones has the more animated role, but she sells Jennie's speedy growth with invention and care. The climax, which features a powerful storm and a fight for survival, definitely overdoes the hysteria, but the mysterious directions of "Portrait of Jennie" remain alert, and the production's painterly appearance and interest in the unknown are fascinating at times.