|
| . |
|
The Age of Innocence 1993 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Martin Scorsese
PG, 139 min. (thematic elements, mild profanity) |
 |
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder, Terry Cook, Jon Garrison
Producer: Barbara De Fina
Screenplay: Jay Cocks, Martin Scorsese
Cinematography: Michael Ballhaus
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Released: 9.24.93 (Wide) |
Rating:
 (out of ) |
The pain of lost love, especially when it's not your spouse, is a wound that's best left closed. Even if the opportunity to reunite
with that love is possible, many people would choose not to subject themselves to further emotional turmoil by embracing it
again. That's exactly what director Martin Scorsese wants to show the audience in The Age of Innocence - that love is a precious thing, to turn your
back on it, even if it means defying the social code of the day, leads to unhappiness and despair. The film is set in 1870s
New York, where your social reputation in the community (albeit an elite community) is more important than anything or anyone
else. The slightest hint of disrepute can destroy your credibility and your standing in the community, meaning your every action
and word is a calculated choice of accepted behavior.
Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a highly-regarded young bachelor, who is engaged to the beautiful daughter of another
powerful family, May (Winona Ryder). His life is turned upside down when Countess Ellen Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer) arrives
in New York, escaping from a disastrous marraige to a powerful man in Europe. He is immediately smitten with her, and although
he tries, he is unable to escape his desirable thoughts for her. Ellen is also taken with Newland, but will not do anything that
might jeopardize his marraige to May, because to do so would ruin his reputation with the community. The rest of the story
deals with Newland's agonizing decision to either marry and embrace his culture, or to spurn them all to be with Ellen, which would
surely mean the end of his easy life.
Scorsese replicates the New York high society in every detail - you feel as though you are really there, and the care he takes
with every scene from the houses to the dining tables and parties are exquisite. You can feel the ebb and flow of the society,
and you understand what it takes to live in that society and survive. Your own interests are routinely set aside for the
arrogant nods of the aristocrats. There are certain rules that must be followed, and those rules are made by a select few
respected persons - thankfully Newland is close with one of them, an elder woman who organizes parties and the schedule
for the elite.
Day-Lewis is strong as Newland, yet shows his inner-struggles with desire for Ellen, offset with his sense of duty to his family
and to May. Pfeiffer arguably gives one of the best performances of her career as Ellen, showing the complete range of
emotion and will-power in her character - it's truly fun to watch. Although Winona Ryder is not as strong as Day-Lewis or
Pfeiffer, she is appropriately pious and surprisingly adept with her character. The supporting cast is also strong, with almost
every actor chosen for an appropriate role that adds depth to the film.
The cinematography in the film is top-notch, and the richness of colors and backdrops are stunning. The look of the film is
almost as important as the story, which takes this movie to the next level. The musical score is also impressive, it moves
with the film, giving it the feel necessary to provoke a strong response from the audience at the film's conclusion. The Age
of Innocence combines the strong story, pictures, music, and intelligence to express the message that Scorsese has
intended to deliver to the audience - one that is sad, but inspires us to not make the same mistakes. It's one of the best
films of 1993.
© 2001 Jonathan Cornwell
|
 |
 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
 | Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
© 2000 - present ReelCriticReviews
All movie pictures are registered trademarks and/or copyrights of their respective holders
Their use on this site is for informational purposes only and does not imply ownership
|
|
