The Portrait

New York artist Margaret Church (Cecilia Peck) is working on her first solo show. She goes home to her parents, Gardner Church (Gregory Peck) and Fanny Church (Lauren Bacall). She wants to paint their portrait. Unbeknownst to her, they have sold the family home and is in the process of moving out.

This is a TV movie on TNT. I am sure that everybody was happy to just see the veteran actors doing the work. Both legendary actors still have it. The real life daughter has less of it. While some haters may want to play the nepo card, I would point more at the writing. The story needs something to drive it. Instead, it is just a bunch of stuff happening. His big speech should be the big climax. The portrait is just the title. I find this boring despite the two screen legends.

"The Portrait" is a made for TV film which features the tremendous talents of Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall in the leads. The pair play an elderly couple who are moving to a smaller home, as they are getting up in years. However, their daughter (Cecelia Peck...Gregory's real-life daughter) is horrified and doesn't want to seem any change. After a while, it becomes obvious some changes are necessary.

The film features some darn fine acting. Peck and Bacall are great. But after this, the film stumbles. First, Cecelia Peck's character is poorly written and it's pretty easy to dislike her (which muddles the story a bit). Second, the story really doesn't go much of anywhere. In other words, the acting is great and that makes the film worth seeing...but not much else.

The actors, directors, and camera people did a nice job making this movie, the story was very loose. I was an extra in this movie and can attest that Gregory Peck was a great person in addition to his incredible acting talent. Director Penn got a lot out of the story and worked very hard. True story, shooting on Duke campus had to be suspended for thirty minutes for the bells in Duke Chapel. It was an exasperating day of shooting and Penn's facial expressions and comments when told it was an unavoidable break were priceless. It is well acted and a good Sunday afternoon over a cold glass of sweetened ice tea kind of movie.

The title to this review comes from a poem written by Richard Wilbur, called: Voltaire: to Madame du Châtelet.

Gregory Peck reads the poem in this movie which the character he plays has written.

Poetic license.

I stumbed on this move and I have to say I thought it was fantastic. Peck & Bacall are marvelous in their roles as a long time married couple who still look upon each other as brides and grooms have done for eternity.

Peck's real life daughter played their daughter and she was mighty fine. Very unique style she brought.

Anyway, I thought the movie was great because it focused on the quirkiness of Peck & Bacall's relationship. It kept the tone light and funny actually & only punctuated the movie here & their with dramatic punch...Peck's & Bacall's aging, especially Peck's agin...the daughter trying to break through a bit to parents who seem to only have eyes for each other.

I loved the big old quality home the parents live in. I loved that the daughter was an artist & throughout the movie she tries to get her 2 parents to sit still for a portrait.

This movie is charming and Peck & Bacall were simply marvelous. Really just great. Especially Bacall. She's funny and goofy even.

Definitely give this movie a shot. Watch it sometime from November to February I think. The vibe is very New Englandy cozy.

I found this movie silly and the characters were vapid. Peck and Bacall played overdone and over animated old people, and frankly, the acting reminded of a school play. We watched this because we had seen it being filmed in Raleigh and were never able to find it before. If you love either or both of these 2 actors, be kind to yourself - and their memories -and pass on it.