The Age of Innocence Movie Review 1993

Magnificently lavish adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel of passion thwarted by convention is visually stunning, but don't expect action since these people kill with a word or gesture. In 1870s New York, proper lawyer Newland Archer (Day-Lewis) is engaged to the equally proper May Welland (Ryder). He discovers unexpected romance when May's cousin, the rather scandalous Ellen Olenska (Pfeiffer), returns to the city from Europe but his hesitancy costs them dearly. Woodward's narration of Wharton's observations helps sort out what goes on behind the facades. Although slow, see this one for the beautiful period authenticity, thanks to Scorsese, who obviously labored over the small details. He shows up as a photographer; his parents appear in a scene on a train.

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 138 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Romantic Drama, Period Piece: 19th Century, Books to Film: Edith Wharton, Marriage, Cousins, Repressed Men, Romantic Triangles, Otherwise Engaged, Edibles

Screenplay

Martin Scorsese, Jay Cocks

Cast

Martin Scorsese, Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder, Richard E. Grant, Alec McCowen, Miriam Margolyes, Mary Beth Hurt, Geraldine Chaplin, Stuart Wilson, Michael Gough, Alexis Smith, Jonathan Pryce, Robert Sean Leonard

Cinematography

Michael Ballhaus

Director

Martin Scorsese

Music

Elmer Bernstein

Other

Joanne Woodward

Producer

Barbara De Fina, Cappa Films

Awards

Oscars 1993: Costume Des.; British Acad. 1993: Support. Actress (Margolyes); Golden Globes 1994: Support. Actress (Ryder); Natl. Bd. of Review 1993: Director (Scorsese), Support. Actress (Ryder).