Jane Campion's adaptation of Henry James's novel stars Nicole Kidman as Isabel Archer, an American heiress visiting relatives in 1872 England who falls prey to the manipulations of a scheming friend (Barbara Hershey, in an Oscar-nominated performance), who arranges her betrothal to an utter scoundrel (John Malkovich). Ironically, Archer's poor choice ultimately leads to discovery of her true self -- and her one true love.