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Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder, Miriam Margolyes, Richard E. Grant ... see more see more... , Alec McCowen , Geraldine Chaplin , Mary Beth Hurt , Stuart Wilson , Sian Phillips , Michael Gough , Alexis Smith , Norman Lloyd , Jonathan Pryce , Carolyn Farina , Robert Sean Leonard , Thomas Barbour , Claire Bloom , Brian Davies , Tracey Ellis , Henry Fehren , Thomas Gibson , Catherine Scorsese , Charles Scorsese , Domenica Scorsese , June Squibb , Martin Scorsese , Joanne Woodward , Clement Fowler , John McLoughlin , Zoé , Patricia Dunnock , W.B. Brydon , Howard Erskine

In Martin Scorsese's adaptation of Edith Wharton's 1920 novel, romance between an upper-class gentleman and an ostracized lady is doomed by 19th century New York society. Shortly after his engagement ... read more read more...to blandly genteel May Welland (Winona Ryder), Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis) is reacquainted with May's scandalous cousin Ellen Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer). As the head of an esteemed family, Archer initially uses his standing to try to rehabilitate Ellen's reputation, but he finds himself increasingly drawn to her disregard for the codes of New York manners. Bound by ingrained society mores and his peers' insinuations, Newland tries to dodge his growing passion by rushing his marriage to May, but he cannot keep himself from confessing his love to Ellen. Recognizing that Newland could never abandon his sense of honor and be happy, Ellen pushes Newland to May and leaves town. The marriage proceeds as dictated, but when Newland unexpectedly sees Ellen again, he yearns for the affair to come to fruition. However, he underestimates not only what May knows but also her ability to uphold the rules of propriety. Sumptuously shot by Michael Ballhaus, the film offers meticulously designed costumes and settings that evoke a culture as seductively beautiful in its surfaces as it is stifling in its rituals. Unspoken emotions are expressed through such details as yellow roses or a clipped cigar, a fade to red or a single camera move. Using Wharton's original prose to comment on the setting's hypocrisies, Joanne Woodward's voiceover narration suggests how much decisive power is buried beneath dainty femininity. The Age of Innocence received five Oscar nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for Ryder and Best Screenplay for Scorsese and Jay Cocks, and a win for Best Costumes. Although The Age of Innocence seemed like a departure from Scorsese's prior work, Newland is as much at the mercy of his circle's Byzantine structure (and his own conscience) as are Scorsese's more familiar mobsters; Newland's persecutors just wear white tie and tails. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi

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72% liked it

21,985 ratings

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82% liked it

44 critics

PG, 2 hr. 18 min.

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Release Date: October 1, 1993

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DVD Release Date: November 6, 2001

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Pfeiffer and Day Lewis Winona Ryder in The Age of Innocence Winona Ryder in The Age of Innocence The Age of Innocence The Age of Innocence
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Flixster Reviews (1,076)

  • fb619846742
    March 11, 2012
    fb619846742
    A well-acted, if occasionally boring and long-winded study of 19th century New York and how a young upper-class man (Daniel Day-Lewis) slowly begins to detach himself from his wife (Winona Ryder) in hopes of starting a relationship with her cousin (Michelle Pfeiffer). If not for ... read moreDay-Lewis's convincing, arresting turn as a man deeply troubled by what he should do and what he truly feels, this movie would probably be lost on me. Instead, it is quite good, in addition to Scorsese's firm direction which includes some original camera tricks to spice up the story every once in a while. It goes on a little too long, and sometimes you question if you should even be caring about these snobby upper-class people. However, the characters are given the proper color and depth they need, in addition to the plot being able to keep the story going in the second half, when you do not know what Day-Lewis's character will decide to do. The end result is a fine film, a minor entry into Scorsese's resume, and one of the few chances audiences around the world get to see the brilliance that is the actor Daniel Day-Lewis.
  • fernandorafael
    January 16, 2011
    fernandorafael
    Of course, this film doesn't allow for the usual Scorsese violence, but coming from him, I expected something a little more...intense. The look of this movie is amazing, with its gorgeous cinematography, it's as if you are watching a 2-hour long painting. But, apart from the aest... read morehetic aspect, it also resembles a painting in the fact that nothing happens. Sadly, The Age of Innocence is terribly boring. I never thought I'd see Daniel Day-Lewis in such a plain role, he did what he could with what he was given. Winona Ryder was good in her own, puppy-like way. The film's best was Michelle Pfeiffer. Her performance was flawed, but she was the one who kept your interest alive. Loved the narrator. Martin Scorsese should stick to what he does best: blood.
  • aliceinpunderland
    July 10, 2010
    aliceinpunderland
    I'm okay with the movie because I liked the book. The direction is a bit odd. It seems like Marty Scorsese toned down his usual flashy cool to fit a staid period piece - the quick cuts to the food, the letters read to the camera.
  • cosmo313
    July 2, 2010
    cosmo313
    I'm normally not into these types of movies, and I'll admit that the main reason I saw this was because it was directed by Scorsese. After watching it, I found myself enjoying it, like sincerely, and not just because of who made it. This is a really interesting and engaging film ... read moreabout a love triangle, the hypocrisy of high society, and the torment that can be caused by the conflict between desire and social restrictions.

    This may seem like the oddity of Scorsese's filmography, not least because of the PG rating and the fact that this was his first period piece costume drama, but thematically and stylistically, this film fits in quite nicely with the resty of his work. Among other trademarks are the Madonna-Whore complex (and other elements of Catholicism), psychological turmoil, a constantly moving camera, nicely executed tracking shots and long takes, wonderful cinematography and rapid yet fluid editing, among other things.

    I found myself a tad bit bored here and there, but I was mostly into the story, I cared about the dilemma the characters face, and the wonderfully poetic way it all comes together at the end. I thought the art direction and costumes were fabulous, the music great, and the fact that Scorsese took a risk by doing something different quite admirable. Despite no physocal violence in this film, Scorsese once commented that he felt this was his most violent film. That sounds laughable, but I get what he means. The pyschological and emotional violence is quite stinging and devastating here. I wouldn't call it his most violent film, but then again, emotional and psychological pain can be far more dmamging than trauma caused by knives, guns, fists, or blunt instruments.

    Give this one a chance. I don't quite think it is the perfect masterpiece that Roger Ebert does, but it is nonetheless a fascinating and brilliant romantic drama.
  • ythelastman89
    March 15, 2010
    ythelastman89
    While it was a great attempt from a talented cast and director, the story was just not sufficient enough to bring together a worthwhile film. It is extremely confusing and overdone. Sometimes direct adaptions aren't always the best decisions, what works on paper doesn't always co... read moreme out so well on screen. However, Scorsese tried his best to make this into a work of art and he mostly did. You can at least bask in its visual perfection.
  • thmtsang
    June 15, 2009
    thmtsang
    Excellent period drama set in high society New York. Newland (Daniel) is a well-educated and wealthy lawyer who is engaged to May (Winona), but falls passionately in love with her cousin Countess Ellen Olenska (Michelle). He is torn between what is right and proper conduct and wh... read moreat his heart desires. Ellen is the talk of the town having left her husband in France. With no means of her own, she has little choice but to return to him, but will Newland stop her? The costumes, storyline and cast are great but the last scene is disappointing.
  • jennifxu
    April 7, 2009
    jennifxu
    Um, I wasn't expecting much because I don't even like Scorsese that much. It was a really boring story and I was really pissed at Daniel Day Lewis half the time. I get that it's supposed to be about the restrictions of society at the time but I still think he was being an asshole... read more nevertheless. I support Winona Ryder in this case 100%. At times I found myself turning to the technical side of things just because there was nothing else to do. It tries its hand at subtlety but Scorsese was never known for being subtle. It's a watchable film and it's got its good moments. I also don't think DDL has any chemistry with Michelle Pfeiffer.
  • mwilliams078
    April 20, 2008
    mwilliams078
    Age of Innocence is a good novel and film...both worthy to check out. The film starring a very strong cast; Michelle Pfeiffer, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Winona Ryder.

    The film centers on the high society of the 19th century NYC. A young bride to be (Ryder) along with her beloved... read more soon to be husband (Day-Lewis) are a perfect match. Enters the outcast (Pfeiffer) that just came back from Europe and obaining a unheard of and disasterous divorce. Things ignite betwen people...beuatiful costumes and well acted.
  • kenstachnik
    April 14, 2008
    kenstachnik
    Expertly crafted and endlessly boring
  • SarahG1988
    August 3, 2007
    SarahG1988
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    Society scion Newland Archer is engaged to May Welland, but his well-ordered life ... read moreis upset when he meets May's unconventional cousin, the Countess Olenska. At first, Newland becomes a defender of the Countess, whose separation from her abusive husband makes her a social outcast in the restrictive high society of late-19th Century New York, but he finds in her a companion spirit and they fall in love.

    Scorsese proves once again that he can direct anything of any genre, and it becomes brilliant. I admit that I do watch period drama and this is definatly up there with some of the best I've seen. Scorsese's direction with his famous tracking shots, montage editing and agressive camera movement really depicts the story well for me. Perhaps that's just become I'm a fan.

    Compared with Gangs of New York there's more story developement there and there's more of a sense of purpose for the films, which I found lacked in GONY. The Age of Innocence has more of Scorsese's directorial signitures in it, as I said before, Montage editing, Tracking shots and a character who wants to be accepted in sciety. That's way it's superior to GONY.

    The cast is top notch. Definatly one of the better casts in scorsese's movies. Winona Ryder, in her academey nominated role, performs to a high standard-one in which I don't think I've seen her like before. Michelle Pfeffer was unregnosible as her character, Countess Olenska, you really believe she's that character. Day-Lewis, in his first Scorsese movie was probably a little underated in the movie, perhaps overshadowed by Ryder. Also great to see fellow Brit actors; Johanthan Pryce, Richard. E Grant and Miriam Margolyes in an American film. Although Richard .E Grant had a pretty bad American accent in it, Pryce and Margolys were brilliant.

    What I loved about the film was how brilliantly it depicted New York life in the 1870's. We see Neland struggling to overcome his feelings for Countess Olenska and marry a woman he doesn't love at all. There we see how society at that time wouldn't agree with him with Olenska. This is brilliantly depicted by the narration, used many times in Scorsese's films. There we understand the characters far better than we would without narration. There is also one brilliant score, which is still in my head after watching it. Again this beautifully capture the spirit of that era. Excellent!

    Overall a brilliant period drama and one of Scorsese's best films.

    Highly Recomended to all

View All The Age of Innocence Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum
February 1, 2010
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Manages to be both personal and true to its source, though it never quite comes together. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
September 22, 2008
Todd McCarthy, Variety

An extraordinarily sumptuous piece of filmmaking. Full Review

Peter Travers
July 22, 2006
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Spurning Masterpiece Theatre twittiness, Scorsese cuts to the primal passions of Wharton's tale.

Vincent Canby
July 22, 2006
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Mr. Scorsese has made a big, intelligent movie that functions as if it were a window on a world he had just discovered, and about which he can't wait to spread the news. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Scorsese shows he can flex an entirely different set of muscles and still make a great movie. Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Perhaps it shouldn't come as such a grand surprise that he is as deft at exploring the nuances of Edwardian manners as he is the laws of modern-day machismo. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

A sumptuous motion picture, a feast for the senses. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Scorsese, that artist of headlong temperament, here exhibits enormous patience. Full Review

Angie Errigo
February 1, 2010
Angie Errigo, Empire Magazine

Day-Lewis and Pfeifer are on top form with Ryder giving the performance of her career. Full Review

February 1, 2010
Film4

Gorgeously shot, deceptively genteel period drama. Day-Lewis, Ryder and in particular Pfieffer give performances as polished as the silver and the result is slow, subtle but irresistibly powerful. Full Review

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