Helen Mirren, the Oscar-winning actress who built a strong small screen reputation as detective inspector Jane Tennison in the Prime Suspect series, took on a vastly different role in this 1997 Masterpiece Theatre drama. Here, Mirren plays down-and-out former ‘60s blues rock singer Maggie Sheridan, now “retired” from show business and holed up in the Irish country estate of Sir Charles Stafford (Iain Cuthbertson). When a robbery goes awry and her elderly benefactor is mortally wounded, Maggie feels obliged to investigate his death. After learning that Sir Charles himself greenlighted the burglary in a misguided attempt to satisfy debts incurred by his ne'er-do-well son Sebastian (Iain Glen), Maggie enlists the aid of her sister Susie (Lesley Manville) and brother-in-law Oliver (Michael Maloney) to help sell a valuable painting in order to free Sebastian from his obligation to shady underworld characters. The former singer finds the art world as dangerous as it is alluring, especially when she's drawn into the orbit of dapper, enigmatic gallery owner Robert Tassi (Franco Nero). The always-compelling Mirren shines in a tale that relies just a tad too much on coincidence and contrivance. Still, while director Julian Jarrold's Painted Lady lacks the gritty ambience that made the Prime Suspect telefilms so compelling, this miniseries does have the flavor of an Agatha Christie-ish “cozy,” and will surely entertain fans of whodunits and Mirren. DVD extras include a text bio of Mirren. Recommended. (E. Hulse)
Painted Lady
Acorn, 198 min., not rated, DVD: $24.99 Volume 24, Issue 2
Painted Lady
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