Based on the novel by Edith Wharton, this extraordinarily sumptuous piece of filmmaking portrays the clash between passion and 19th century stiff manners and emotional starchiness. Ellen (Pfeiffer) is a beautiful American recently returned from Europe after leaving her aristocratic husband. Although related to a distinguished family, Ellen is a considered a little wild for her free-thinking European ideas and rumours of love affairs. Her cousin, the equally lovely May Welland (Ryder) has just announced her engagement to socially prominent and dashing lawyer Newland Archer (Day-Lewis).
When Ellen dares to express unorthodox ideas about what is acceptable behaviour for women in this world of formal balls, dinners and other ritualised social engagements, trouble is bound to follow. Newland of course becomes entranced by the bewitching Ellen and the struggle between the romantically entwined trio and the social mores of their place and time become the focus of Scorsese’s film.
The Age of Innocence successfully recreates a lost era of the 1870s with lingering close-ups of place, food preparation, cigar trimmers, fabrics, clothes, paintings and decor, to the accompaniment of a terrific score. Dante Ferretti’s production design and Gabriella Pescucci’s costume design are practically beyond compare. Michael Ballhaus surpasses himself with his resplendent widescreen cinematography. And there is no doubt that this is one of the few films ever to credit a table decoration consultant, etiquette consultant and chef for 19th-century meals.
The cast is stunning. Day-Lewis cuts an impressive figure as Newland, the two principal female roles are superbly filled and provide balanced performances in which none of these great actors outshine their colleagues. And if you are Martin Scorsese, you can rustle up a mouth-watering list of actors in supporting roles (see if you can spot Alec McCowen, Sian Phillips, Richard E. Grant, Miriam Margolyes, Geraldine Chaplin, Jonathan Pryce and, in her last role, the late Hollywood actress Alexis Smith).
