In Depression-era New York, painter Eben Adams despairs at his lack of success. One cold winter evening in Central Park, he meets an enigmatic, old-fashioned little girl, Jennie Appleton (Jennifer Jones), who captures his fancy when she asks him to wait for her to grow up. Soon after, Eben sells a sketch of Jennie to kindly art dealer Miss Spinny and, as he meets the oddly mutable Jennie in fleeting moments, begins to realize they share a special destiny.
Set in 1934.
One of the most unusual romances ever filmed, Portrait of Jennie is the picture of sumptuousperfection. Starring Joseph Cotten (Citizen Kane) and Oscar(r) winner Jennifer Jones (A Farewell to Arms) in a ‘sensitive, appealing performance (The Hollywood Reporter), this ‘tender [and] poetic (Variety) tale is enthralling from its touching beginning to its haunting conclusion. When struggling artist Eben Adams (Cotten) meets the beautiful and mysterious Jennie (Jones), he is instantly captivated. Before long, Jennie has become his great muse and he is enjoying success and bliss beyond his dreams. But there is a price to pay for such elation, and soon Eben must face the truth about who Jennie really is.
Starring Jennifer Jones, Joseph Cotten, Ethel Barrymore, Lillian Gish, Cecil Kellaway.
Rated PG-13