Portrait of Jennie is an interesting and haunting story. I watched the movie years ago and I always remembered liking it. As I watched the movie again for class I was struck at how sad I felt. I just remembered it being a love story, but I was taken by how eerie it was. I do still enjoy the movie, I am just surprised at how time changes perspective. After recently reading the book, I am always interested to see changes that are made in the film. I think one of the most shock changes what that of Miss Spinney. While Spinney is feisty in both book and movie, the movie Spinney has much more influence on the story as a whole. Plus Mr. Matthews and Spinney’s relation is quite different. Sometimes I’m at a loss to know why certain changes are made in adapting a book.
I found it pretty cool when the end of the movie started to produce some color. First the waves were green (again, eerie) and then when the portrait turned to full color. I’m used to things in color everywhere I look and I was still taken off guard and uplifted as the portrait changed to color. Very moving touch.
I found an interesting websiteabout the troubled production of Portrait of Jennie.
The film was already way over budget when Selznick decided that the ending was weak and he re-filmed the entire final sequence using a specially tinted film stock which gave the scene an odd greenish tint. It proved to be yet another overkill tactic to a hopelessly overblown production. The film was released briefly in December of 1948 to scathing reviews and empty theaters. It was re-released nationwide in May of 1949. It was Jennifer’s first film to bomb at the box office.
That’s too bad. It is my understanding that the movie is pretty well liked now. Interesting how a movie may seem better over time.