I have a decent chunk of Portman scores on CD, having first encountered her music watching BENNY & JOON in 1993 and falling for her score while watching the film. As Thor alludes to above, I absolutely adore her Main Themes, but sometimes struggle to get through a whole CD by her. I agree she is a bit of a 'Suites & Themes' type of composer, when it comes to listening as standalone. BUT!!! Her Themes are beyond lovely and memorable. They render the other stuff almost inconsequential. I haven't bought or heard too much of her later/recent stuff. I think THEIR FINEST was the last one I recall liking. Again, a stunning Main Theme but the score whole...meh.
My favourite Portman score (in the film) is only available on a promo - Life Is Sweet (1991). And given its about 15 variations on a single theme, itself based on a French tune, I'm not sure it works very well on its own. Portman also wrote the opening song from the film (Happy Holidays) which is absolutely infectious and needs releasing, but didn't make the promo.
Other than that, The Human Stain is my favourite Portman.
