The Age of Innocence starring Daniel
Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona
Ryder, Alexis Smith, Geraldine
Chaplin
Floral And Lace-Like Exquisiteness
Having read Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same
name, I have observed that Michelle Pfeiffer and Winona Ryder should
have had opposite roles, as they would have then better fit the descriptions
of their respective characters, Ellen Olenska and May Welland. However,
the acting of both was superb, as was that of Daniel Day -Lewis as society
lawyer, Newland Archer, and the rest of the cast.
Our setting is that of New York Society in the 1870s. We begin with a
night at the opera, and with Joanne Woodward's appropriately genteel
narration, we become acquainted with this rareified world--the veneer of
which could be ruffled by the slightest hint of scandal. Students of the
Victorian age may admire the meticulous attention paid to the details of
dress, jewels, meals, etiquette, accessories, architecture, paintings, gifts
given on appropriate occassions, social mores, the symbolism of flowers
presented to ladies, etc.
Camera lenses pan across opera boxes, ballrooms, dining room tables,
enchanting gardens, and a wealth of art on museums and household walls.
Amid the mildly expressed indignation of Sillerton Jackson and Larry
Lefferts(Alec McCowen and Richard E. Grant),the societal experts on
family histories and on form, Countess Ellen Olenska, May's European-
raised cousin, who is something of a persona non grata among New York
Society because she is separated from her husband, joins the newly
engaged May and her mother (Geraldine Chaplain) in their opera box, and
are later joined by Newland, May's fiance.The characters of the two female
leads are well represented by Gabriella Pescucci's costumes--Ellen's sharp
sweetheart-necklined royal blue satin, and May's pallid tulle-laden gown
which makes the latter look ethereal, seem to represent experience and
innocence. Ellen spends much time clad in rich jewel tones.
At the moment Newland greets her in the box, the Countess, whispering
delicately about her earlier acquaintance with those present, gracefully
sweeps her fan over the audience beneath her to illustrate the point she is
making.
At the annual ball given my Mr. and Mrs. Julius Beaufort(Stuart Wilson
and Mary Beth Hurt), May shows off her engagement ring, and chats
pleasantly with her fiance.
May's grandmother, Mrs. Manson Mingott(Miriam Margoyles), is delighted
by the engagement, and wants to give the wedding breakfast. As the story
progresses, the obese couch-ridden matriarch will act as an adviser on the
marital dilemmas of her kinfolk, sometimes to her own distress.
As his own wedding day approaches, Archer discusses Ellen's situation
with law firm partner Mr. Letterblain(Norman Lloyd), and tries to beg off
taking her case.
Newland and May marry, honeymoon in Europe, and still find Ellen's
issues awaiting them upon their return. Newland is torn between his
attraction to the unconventional Countess, whose disregard for a few
societal customs, such as wearing red at formal gatherings, leaving one
gentleman's company to talk to another at such gatherings, and her private
habit of smoking when that was unacceptable behavior for women--and
the more conventional, sweet and docile May, whom he fears has no real
depth.
He will learn much later how false this impression really is.
Manning this opulent Oscar-nominated effort is Martin Scorsese, who
cameos as a wedding photographer, and gives bit parts to various
members of his family, including his daughter, Domenica, whose Katie
Blenker's mindless chatter with Newland reveals her to be a young lady
typical of her time and social standing. Sian Phillips and Carolyn Farina
portray Newland's dependant mother and sister, Jonathan Pryce is the
Frenchman Riviere, Michael Gough and Alexis Smith play the King and
Queen of New York Society, Henry and Louisa Van der Luyden, and
Robert Sean Leonard plays the Archer's son.
Michael Baullhaus' cinematography is soft, natural, and glowing, and we
are ultimately presented with a look into a bygone era of annual rituals of
formality, subtle assaults on the psyches of those wishing to break free
from them, and amid the unseen inner turmoil of some, a poignant
underestimation of one woman's understanding of her husband's private,
unexpressed anguish.
For More 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price:
The Age of Innocence starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder,
Alexis Smith, Geraldine Chaplin - 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price!