Jessica comes to the rescue when a friend's sculpture is used as a murder weapon.Jessica comes to the rescue when a friend's sculpture is used as a murder weapon.Jessica comes to the rescue when a friend's sculpture is used as a murder weapon.
Photos
Herb Edelman
- NYPD Lieutenant Artie Gelber
- (as Herbert Edelman)
Vince Howard
- Real Dr. Swope
- (as Vincent Howard)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAll entries contain spoilers
- GoofsJuvenile records are sealed. Lt. Gelber wouldn't have known of the suspect's previous crimes.
- Quotes
[first lines]
Philip Jovey: But notice the underlying narrative. How the artist imposes a certain order to the chaos.
Sondra Arthur: Philip, $15,000 is a lot of cash for chaos. Frankly, I hate it.
Philip Jovey: Who said anything about liking it?
- SoundtracksMurder She Wrote Theme
Written by John Addison
Featured review
Death by sculpture
Have always been quite fond of 'Murder She Wrote'. It is a fun and relaxing watch that makes you think as you try to unwind in the evening. If one wants more complex, twisty mysteries with lots of tension and suspense 'Murder She Wrote' may not be for you, but if you want something light-hearted and entertaining but still provide good mysteries 'Murder She Wrote' fits the bill just fine.
"Portrait of Death" is certainly not among the worst 'Murder She Wrote' episodes, but it's not one of the best either. As far as Season 10 goes, it's with the lesser efforts while still being a lesser effort. The mystery itself is okay, has some nice atmosphere, well-paced but nothing special or innovative (excepting the setting and the unique murder weapon). The best thing about the story is the very clever ending, that is one of the few of the season to actually be a leaving-one-floored surprise.
The dialogue is also a bit uneven, amiable and thought-provoking in some scenes like Jessica, Gelber and Henderson and the crime solving but a mix of uninspired and contrived in other parts.
Characters are pretty sketchy, including a victim that's little more than the over-the-top "victim stamped over forehead" sort. Loretta Swit's character is also a bit problematic, Swit actually plays her with a lot of charm and class, just didn't buy the character's obliviousness to the blatant dishonesty of some of the other characters.
Edward Hibbert is a little hammy and, as good as he is on 'Frasier', that he kept reminding me of Gil Chesterton rather than the character everybody is supposed to hate really took me out of the story. Am aware that this is not going to be a popular opinion. The acting in general is never terrible, but most of the supporting cast are undistinguished and not very memorable.
On the other hand, Angela Lansbury really lifts things up by quite a lot, showing that she still has it in her as Jessica. Herb Edelman is a very charmingly easy presence and he and Lansbury's chemistry has a lot of charm and tension. Loved his amusing one with Leonard Lightfoot too.
As said, Swit does acquit herself well. As do Kristoffer Tabori, Lee Purcell and David Ackroyd.
Production values as always are slick, stylish and suitably cosy. The music has energy and has presence but also not making the mistake of over-scoring, while it is hard to forget or resist the theme tune. As mentioned earlier, the ending helps make an otherwise unexceptional story worth sticking with.
Overall, watchable but not one of the show's finest hours by any stretch. 5/10 Bethany Cox
"Portrait of Death" is certainly not among the worst 'Murder She Wrote' episodes, but it's not one of the best either. As far as Season 10 goes, it's with the lesser efforts while still being a lesser effort. The mystery itself is okay, has some nice atmosphere, well-paced but nothing special or innovative (excepting the setting and the unique murder weapon). The best thing about the story is the very clever ending, that is one of the few of the season to actually be a leaving-one-floored surprise.
The dialogue is also a bit uneven, amiable and thought-provoking in some scenes like Jessica, Gelber and Henderson and the crime solving but a mix of uninspired and contrived in other parts.
Characters are pretty sketchy, including a victim that's little more than the over-the-top "victim stamped over forehead" sort. Loretta Swit's character is also a bit problematic, Swit actually plays her with a lot of charm and class, just didn't buy the character's obliviousness to the blatant dishonesty of some of the other characters.
Edward Hibbert is a little hammy and, as good as he is on 'Frasier', that he kept reminding me of Gil Chesterton rather than the character everybody is supposed to hate really took me out of the story. Am aware that this is not going to be a popular opinion. The acting in general is never terrible, but most of the supporting cast are undistinguished and not very memorable.
On the other hand, Angela Lansbury really lifts things up by quite a lot, showing that she still has it in her as Jessica. Herb Edelman is a very charmingly easy presence and he and Lansbury's chemistry has a lot of charm and tension. Loved his amusing one with Leonard Lightfoot too.
As said, Swit does acquit herself well. As do Kristoffer Tabori, Lee Purcell and David Ackroyd.
Production values as always are slick, stylish and suitably cosy. The music has energy and has presence but also not making the mistake of over-scoring, while it is hard to forget or resist the theme tune. As mentioned earlier, the ending helps make an otherwise unexceptional story worth sticking with.
Overall, watchable but not one of the show's finest hours by any stretch. 5/10 Bethany Cox
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- TheLittleSongbird
- Nov 14, 2017
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