Review of The Age of Innocence (1993) by Jack L — 24 May 2010

I have decided to review this film because it is one of Scorsese's most overlooked ever.

I am not much or a period-piece fan but I have to say that this film was a very pleasant surprise, of course I didn't expect a bad film but I just didn't expect to like it that much.

The film shows a young man named Newland Archer(Daniel Day-Lewis), he lives in New York in the 1870's.

He is part of a successful law firm and is a model young gentleman,with a well connected and rich family, a respectable job and a fiancée.

His fiancée is called May Welland and is also part of a well-connected and respectable family, both Newland's and May's families look favourably upon the union of the two as it will join two of the oldest and most respected families in New York.

But after the arrival of May's cousin Countess Ellen Olenska(Michelle Pfeiffer) Newland starts to question his lifestyle and his coming marriage to May, for him and Ellen fall in love but cannot marry as Ellen is already married to an abusive Polish Count doesn't care about her.

Ellen urges Newland to marry May as that would be the best thing, socially and financially, for him to do. Newland becomes more and more disillusioned with society and has to choose between a passionate affair with the Countess Ellen or a mundane but socially acceptable marriage to May.

He is forced to choose his marriage to May after she reveals to him that she is pregnant.

The acting in this film was very good all around, but especially from Daniel Day-Lewis who delvers yet another incredible performance.

The cinematography was the best thing about this film,Scorsese really outdid himself here, some of the shots are absolutely incredible(such as the ball scene, when Newland is walking through various rooms all in one long take) and some of the techniques used are very original(I particularly liked the shots of someone talking with the shot getting slowly darker and darker, all apart from their mouth for example).

The New York of the 1870's was perfectly recreated as were the clothes, the carriages and the whole scenery in general.

The plot was simple on the surface and easy to understand, but some of the themes explored in this film were very deep indeed and had me thinking for some time afterwards.

The weight of society and tradition weighing down on the main character could not be felt until he tried to free himself from it's constrictions. The way he was manipulated by all around him to suit their expectations was horrible, it left him in a kind of semi-existence.

As I said before I did not have high expectations for this film as I'm not much of a fan of period pieces, This film was exceptional, though the story might appeal to some more than it did to me, the acting and direction combine to make a incredibly beautiful film.

The soundtrack was ,as usual with Scorsese, very well used It started and stopped at exactly the right moments and always had the right music for the right scene.

The dialogue was very authentic , the manners, expressions, and habits all seemed very well researched.

Overall it was a very entertaining watch even though I didn't find the story very engaging the acting and direction kept me fascinated all the way through.

Highly recommended to all Scorsese fans and to those interested in a film set in 1870's New York.

Cinematography 10/10.

Acting 10/10.

Plot 6/10.

Screenplay 8/10.

Soundtrack 8/10.