The Age Of Innocence Details

Atmosphere and period glamour!

This is a wonderfully intense depiction of New York society based on the novel by Edith Wharton.

New York society is strictly governed by an unwritten set of rules regarding respectability and decorum; breaching the rules is totally inconceivable and will lead to disaster and social death. Michelle Pfeiffer's character returns to seek a divorce and her disregard for convention sends shockwaves through polite society.

This film manages to convey the real and devastating impact of a mere look or an unspoken understanding. It builds an incredible atmosphere.

Daniel Day-Lews, Winona Ryder and Michelle Pfieffer are exceptional in theo portrayal of the complexity of these characters who are so restricted in the expression of their emptions by the expectations of social convention.

The settings and costumes are stunning and build the intense atmosphere beautifully - this film is a visual pleasure. It is a heartbreaking love story and has a wonderful twist at the end.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Picturesque, Prim & Proper Production.

This was the costume drama to beat all costume dramas, with clothes, sets and a cast that should not have failed. The attention to detail was magnificent and the scenes were both memorable and artistic, certainly on a par with Lean or Kubrick.

Martin Scorsese put a lot of TLC into this film about the social mores of nineteenth century New York Society. Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder and Miriam Margolyes all acted their socks off in their respective roles and the atmosphere they created was excellent.

What seemed to be missing was the great passion that Newland Archer (Daniel Day Lewis) was supposed to be harbouring for his fiancée’s cousin. Lewis was very proper and constrained compared to his usual performances as an ardent lover. I was not made to believe that he truly suffered in his desperate, divided love for two different women.

Therefore the net result, despite the great promises the Trailer had made, was quiet a lovingly packed and decorated box of sweets, but with a bland, ordinary taste in the mouth.

Regretfully the lack of pace and some soporific screenplay let the film down in places but fortunately the damage was not terminal.

The film is worth watching for the twist at the end alone, but the beautiful sets and classical soundtrack make the whole experience worthwhile in the end. A good film, however, unfortunately, not a great movie.

Worth the money, just for the Waltzes alone, but what a waste of Lewis' talent!