Review of The Heiress (1949) by William S — 26 Jan 2008
* Both Swell, and Boffo *.
A movie from back when movies were movies. Henry James's typically cold and flinty take on 19th-century New York social cruelty, with outstanding performances from every one of the small cast led by Olivia DeHavilland (still alive at 91 and living in Paris) who got Best Actress Oscar for her masterful underplayed-yet-stupifying nerd-to-bitch performance. (The flick won 3 other Oscars, including for Aaron Copland who did the score). Directed by William Wyler; eye-popping B&W cinematography, with imaginative use of mirrors and impressions of candle- and gaslight. Lots of two-shots, with the kind of snappily intelligent dialogue that they've somehow forgotten how to do some time during the past 150 years.
If you haven't seen it in a while, it's time to see it again. Henry James is terrific, but I read the book ("Washington Square"), and , sorry Henry, the movie's better.
This review of The Heiress (1949) was written by William S on 26 Jan 2008.
The Heiress has generally received very positive reviews.
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