The Age of Innocence (1993)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Writers (WGA):

Edith Wharton (novel)
Jay Cocks (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

1 October 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

In a world of tradition. In an age of innocence. They dared to break the rules.

Plot:

Tale of 19th century New York high society in which a young lawyer falls in love with a woman separated from her husband, while he is engaged to the woman's cousin.

Plot Keywords:

New York | Love | Countess | Lawyer | 19th Century

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 10 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Daniel Day-Lewis	...	Newland Archer
Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Ellen Olenska
Winona Ryder	...	May Welland
Alexis Smith	...	Louisa van der Luyden
Geraldine Chaplin	...	Mrs. Welland
Mary Beth Hurt	...	Regina Beaufort
Alec McCowen	...	Sillerton Jackson
Richard E. Grant	...	Larry Lefferts
Miriam Margolyes	...	Mrs. Mingott
Robert Sean Leonard	...	Ted Archer
Siân Phillips	...	Mrs. Archer
Jonathan Pryce	...	Rivière
Michael Gough	...	Henry van der Luyden
Joanne Woodward	...	Narrator (voice)
Stuart Wilson	...	Julius Beaufort

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements and some mild language.

Runtime:

139 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

South Korea:12 | Brazil:Livre | Australia:M (TV rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | Finland:S | Germany:6 | Iceland:L | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:PG | Canada:PG (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Albany, New York, USA

Company:

Cappa Production

Trivia:

The final Martin Scorsese picture to be edited on a Moviola.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When Ellen declares her love to Newland, on the wall behind her can be seen the painting "The Art, the Caresses, the Sphynx" that was painted by Fernand Khnoppf in 1896. The movie is set in the 1870s.

Quotes:

Newland: Honest? Isn't that why you always admire Julius Beaufort? He was more honest than the rest of us, wasn't he, we've got no character, no color, no variety. I wonder why you just don't go back to Europe.
Ellen: I believe that's because of you.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Will & Grace: A Chorus Lie (#4.15)" (2002)

Soundtrack:

Tales From The Vienna Woods

Scorcese's Answer to Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon"

In the 70's, the decade's greatest director Stanley Kubrick broke from his series of groundbreaking films to make a long period piece. That movie, "Barry Lyndon", was met with much critical acclaim, but also a litany of derision from fans and critics alike who called it too slow, too ponderous and too boring. Nearly 20 years later, the world's leading director of that time, Martin Scorcese took the same steps and met with much of the same criticism.

These two movies are not for everyone. If you want to see action and fast-paced filmmaking, you will find them boring. However, if you want to see the pinnacles of the careers of the two greatest directors of the second half of the 20th century, you will find them here.

Enough has been said about the plot and the acting in "The Age of Innocence". The bottom line is that for pure cinematic luster and beauty, the 90's offers only a single movie that can match "Barry Lyndon". Don't watch the clock, watch the film, and enjoy a departure and a triumph that proves the depth and confidence of Scorcese's skills.

Lastly, don't let anyone spoil the ending for you, and don't jump to conclusions. Think about it after you've seen the movie, savour it for a while and the understanding will come to you. This movie quite simply has the finest ending of any movie I have ever seen.

"The Age of Innocence" is the 10 that rises just above Scorcese's string of 9 1/2s. See it.