Isabel Archer (Nicole Kidman) is a free-thinking young American who travels to England to find herself. There, Isabel makes a connection with her sickly cousin, Ralph Touchett (Martin Donovan), who convinces his dying father to leave her a generous inheritance. But, Isabel's new wealth doesn't bring her the freedom she desires and, after making an unfortunate alliance with Madame Merle (Barbara Hershey), instead leads her into an unhappy marriage with Gilbert Osmond (John Malkovich). Directed by Jane Campion. With Viggo Mortensen, Mary-Louise Parker, Shelley Winters, Shelley Duvall and Christian Bale. Categories: Drama, Based on a Novel. Year: 1996.

Barbara Hershey in The Portrait of a Lady
After meeting at a resort in Atlantic City, child performer CC Bloom (Bette Midler) and privileged rich girl Hillary Whitney (Barbara Hershey) instantly become best friends, despite their very different lives. As CC begins a successful stage career and Hillary goes on to study law, the pair stays in touch by writing letters describing the course of their lives. Years later, in an attempt to escape her family's expectations, Hillary shows up at CC's door in New York City and finds that she is struggling to find work as a singer. As relationships loved ones come and go, CC and Hillary's friendship faces many obstables, but through it all there's no doubt that these women share a lifelong connection. Directed by: Garry Marshall. With: John Heard, Spalding Gray, Lainie Kazan, James Read, Mayim Bialik and Marcie Leeds. Category: Drama, Comedy, Musical. Year: 1988.

Barbara Hershey in Beaches
Chuck Yeager (Sam Shepard), the first man to break the sound barrier, and the astronauts in the Mercury 7 program, including U.S. Marine John Glenn (Ed Harris) and U.S. Navy pilot Alan Shepard (Scott Glenn), rely on their exceptional skills and incomparable courage to become heroes during the early days of the US space program. Competitive and uncompromising, these pioneers blaze a trail toward the future, forming a lasting bond under the gruelling conditions of the Cold War. Directed by Philip Kaufman. With Dennis Quaid, Barbara Hershey, Veronica Cartwright and Jeff Goldblum. Categories: Politics, Adventure, Drama, History. Year: 1983.

Barbara Hershey in The Right Stuff