The Age of Innocence Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A fancy lawyer is too afraid of gossip to leave his boring fiancée for her hot, scandalous cousin, so everyone just stays miserable forever.

🍿 The Age of Innocence: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Engagement and Arrival

In 1870s New York, Newland Archer, a wealthy lawyer, is engaged to the beautiful and innocent May Welland. Their union represents the ideal match within the rigid social circles of the city’s elite. However, the arrival of May’s cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska, disrupts the carefully constructed facade of Newland’s life.

Scandal and Attraction

Countess Olenska, having separated from her abusive European husband, returns to New York, becoming a social outcast. Newland, initially acting as her defender, finds himself increasingly drawn to her unconventional spirit and intellect, a stark contrast to May’s naive innocence. He is fascinated by her independence and the glimpse of a world beyond the stifling constraints of New York society.

Forbidden Love and Societal Pressures

As Newland and Ellen’s connection deepens, they begin to question the established norms of their society. Their attraction is fueled by a shared longing for authenticity and a rejection of the superficiality that surrounds them. However, the potential consequences of pursuing their feelings are immense, threatening to shatter their reputations and social standing within the closed world of New York’s elite.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis): A wealthy lawyer torn between his engagement to May Welland and his passionate love for her cousin, Countess Olenska.
• Ellen Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer): An unconventional countess, separated from her husband, who becomes a social outcast and the object of Newland Archer’s desire.
• May Welland (Winona Ryder): The seemingly innocent and naive fiancée of Newland Archer, who embodies the restrictive conventions of New York high society.
• Mrs. Mingott (Miriam Margolyes): A powerful and influential matriarch of New York high society.
• Sillerton Jackson (Alec McCowen): An expert on New York society’s genealogy and customs.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Newland: “You gave me my first glimpse of a real life. Then you asked me to go on with the false one. No one can endure that.” – Newland expresses his despair to Ellen about being trapped in a loveless engagement after experiencing genuine connection with her.
• Ellen: “I’m enduring it.” – Ellen’s poignant reply to Newland shows her resignation to the societal constraints that force her to live without true love.
• Narrator: “Newland Archer was a quiet and self-effacing man, but with definite and rather aggressive opinions.” – The narrator sets up Newland’s internal conflict between societal expectations and personal desires.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $34,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $32,255,440
• Worldwide Gross: $32,255,953

💥 The Age of Innocence Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely swept away by ‘The Age of Innocence.’ The costumes and sets were breathtaking, making me feel like I had stepped back in time. Michelle Pfeiffer was stunning, I was rooting for her and Day-Lewis to run off together and ignore everyone else. The ending left me feeling a bit heartbroken, but also strangely satisfied with their choices. It’s a movie I’ll definitely watch again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of period dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about forbidden love and societal pressures”
  • “Those who appreciate films with lavish costumes and production design”
  • “Admirers of Martin Scorsese’s work, even in a different genre”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Implied marital abuse”
  • “Emotional distress”
  • “Themes of infidelity”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Scorsese masterfully translates Edith Wharton’s novel into a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film, capturing the suffocating atmosphere of 19th-century high society. The performances are superb, especially Pfeiffer’s nuanced portrayal of Ellen Olenska.
• Rolling Stone: “While a departure from Scorsese’s usual fare, ‘The Age of Innocence’ is a triumph of style and substance. Day-Lewis perfectly embodies the conflicted Archer, while Ryder delivers a surprising performance as the seemingly innocent May. A must-see for fans of period dramas.
• Chicago Sun-Times: “Scorsese brings his signature visual flair to this adaptation, creating a world of opulent beauty and stifling social constraints. Though the pacing is deliberate, the film’s exploration of desire and societal expectations is ultimately rewarding.

Audience Reactions

The costumes are stunning and the visual details are incredible.: Most viewers admire the film’s visual beauty and attention to historical detail.

Michelle Pfeiffer is amazing as the Countess Olenska!: Viewers consistently praise Michelle Pfeiffer’s performance as a standout.

Overall Consensus: ‘The Age of Innocence’ is a visually stunning and well-acted period drama that, while a departure for Scorsese, offers a compelling exploration of love, duty, and societal constraints in 19th-century New York.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Costume Design)- 1994

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jay Cocks first gave his friend Martin Scorsese a copy of Edith Wharton’s novel in 1980, telling him, “When you do that romantic piece, this one is you.””
• “The Columbia Pictures logo at the beginning of the film is sepia-toned to resemble a 19th-century photograph, setting the historical context from the very start.”
• “Scorsese has called ‘The Age of Innocence’ his most violent film, referring to the emotional violence and repression of the characters rather than physical violence.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Age of Innocence?

The Age of Innocence can be found for purchase on Amazon. Check streaming availability on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV to see if it’s available for rent or purchase. Availability may vary by region, so be sure to confirm in your local app.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Age of Innocence, you might like these similar films:

• A Room with a View (1985): Both films explore the constraints of societal expectations on love and personal freedom in a period setting.
• The Remains of the Day (1993): Deals with repressed emotions and the heavy burden of duty over personal happiness in a bygone era.
• Dangerous Liaisons (1988): Explores the darker side of high society, with characters using manipulation and deceit within rigid social structures.

🛒 The Age of Innocence Related Products

• The Age of Innocence (Edith Wharton) [Kindle Edition]: Experience the original text that inspired the movie. Delve deeper into the characters’ thoughts and emotions with the nuanced prose of Edith Wharton.
• The Age of Innocence (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A high-quality Blu-ray edition featuring restored visuals, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes content. A must-have for serious film collectors.
• The Age of Innocence Movie Poster: High quality print of the original movie poster, perfect for framing and adding a touch of classic cinema to your home.
• 1870s Victorian Dress Pattern: Create your own historical costume with this authentic pattern inspired by the dresses in ‘The Age of Innocence’.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Age of Innocence features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Faust” – performed by Charles Gounod
• “Marble Halls” – performed by Enya

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Top 10 Best Winona Ryder Performances

Winona Ryder is amazing in ‘The Age of Innocence,’ but have you seen her other roles? This video counts down her top 10 performances, and honestly, I forgot how many iconic movies she’s been in! You should watch it, you might be surprised.

Why Miriam Margolyes Hates Winona Ryder

Did you know there was some drama surrounding Winona Ryder’s Oscar nomination for ‘The Age of Innocence’? Miriam Margolyes apparently *hates* her! Check out this video for the hilarious reason why; it’s totally unexpected.

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