A 1993 historical drama filmed by Martin Scorsese, this romantic drama was based on a 1920s novel of the same name written by Edith Wharton. Critically acclaimed, it was a box office flop on its 1993 release, only garnering 32.3 million. On this Under the Radar, we’re looking at The Age of Innocence and why it wasn’t well-received by audiences.
SPOILERS!
Synopsis
Based in the 1870s New York City, Newland Archer, a lawyer is planning to marry May Welland. Welland’s cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska, returns to New York after her own marriage dissolves, she is shunned by society as vicious rumors spread as if wildfire. The Welland family though, stands firm next to the Countess, and society slowly reaccepts her.
During a party, the Countess is ostracized, but with the help of Archer, she is able to reenter the party without much of a fuss. There, she meets Julius Beaufort, a financier who openly flirts with practically any woman that saunters past him. The Countess is wrapped up by Beaufort, who flirts with her both in public and privately, meanwhile, Archer announces his engagement to May, but it may have been prematurely. As he gets to know the Countess, he begins to appreciate her outspoken views and slowly becomes annoyed by his fiancé’s innocence.
The Countess announces that she is divorcing the Count, while Archer supports this move toward freedom for her, he is compelled by his family to persuade her to remain married. Archer realizes that he is falling for the Countess and leaves the next day to join May and the family who are vacationing in Florida. He asks May if they can move forward the wedding date, and of course, she is suspicious of this move, but Archer assures May that he is firmly in love with her. After their vacation, Archer reaches out to the Countess and confesses his love for her, but a telegram arrives announcing the new wedding date.
After the wedding and honeymoon, Archer and May settle into their married life. With the passing time, Archer’s love for the Countess fades until her return to New York reignites that love. The Countess reveals that she is going to Europe after taking care of her grandmother. May throws her a farewell party, when the guests leave, May tells Archer that she’s pregnant and that the Countess knew for two weeks.
Through the years, Archer and May have a steady marriage, they had three children before May’s passing from pneumonia. Archer’s son, Ted, convinces Archer to travel to Paris to meet with the Countess. He hasn’t seen her in nearly 25 years, as Ted continues to urge his father to meet with her, he reveals the fact that his mother had revealed to them on her deathbed. With this revelation he tells Ted to go in before him, however, instead of following his son as promised, he walks off. Content to have those memories firmly rooted in the past.
Production
The Age of Innocence has been adapted for film, television, and theater a number of times since the novel made its debut in the 1920s. The Age of Innocence 1993 film was a commercial flop, doing poorly at the box office. Domestically it gained 32.3 million and by the end of 1993, it grossed 15 million internationally.
Filming primarily on location in Troy and Kinderhook, New York, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, only one set was built for the movie, the ornate ballroom that was at the Beaufort residence.
The Age of Innocence was written by Martin Scorsese and his friend, screenwriter Jay Cocks, who had given him the novel. Jay Cocks has suggested that he should take on the project of directing this, and it fits within his style.
Many believe that The Age of Innocence was a flop because of who was in the directorial chair. Martin Scorsese, the man behind greats such as Taxi Diver and Goodfellas, both of which are known for their depiction of violence and heavy in the use of profanity. However, Scorsese has gone on record saying that The Age of Innocence is the most violent movie he’s made. And how could he say something like that? There is no onscreen violence, sex, and the profanity within the film never escalates beyond hell and bastard. It has no substantial evidence that it’s violent. However, that’s not what Scorsese is talking about, he isn’t referring to physical or verbal violence, but emotional violence, which he believes is much more devastating.
Critically acclaimed, The Age of Innocence won Best Costume Design (Academy Award – Gabriella Pescucci), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (BAFTA – Miriam Margolyes), Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture (Golden Globe and National Board of Review – Winona Rider), Best Director (National Board of Review – Martin Scorsese), and the Elvira Notari Prize (Venice Film Festival – Martin Scorsese and Winona Rider). Its soundtrack was composed by Elmer Bernstein, who worked with Scorsese previously on Cape Fear.
Have you seen The Age of Innocence? Did you like it, hate it or was it a letdown considering the director?
Until Next Time – Cheers!!
Follow me on Twitter.
P.S. Check out my podcasts that correlate with these blog posts and become a supporter here. Thanks in advance!!
Consider Supporting this Blog:
utterrandomness653702315.wordpress.com 