DVD/150: THE AGE OF INNOCENCE (Martin Scorsese, 1993)

Scorsese's lavish adaptation of Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel echoes epic screen dramas like GONE WITH THE WIND or THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS and the films of Ophuls and Visconti, but with flourishes of his own psychological dramas.

There was surprise that Scorsese wanted to film it but the strict moral rules of 19th Century New York high society are shown to be as dangerous to flout as any gangland tale.

Lawyer Newland Archer is aware of but overlooks the strict morality and quiet hypocrisis of his class, especially as he is just engaged to the innocent May Welland.

Life changes with the arrival of May's cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska, fleeing an unhappy European marriage. Society disapproves of Ellen's wayward ways but as Ellen is the daughter of Old Money she is tolerated.

Newland is captivated by Ellen's unconventional directness; they fall in love but society imperceptibly forces them apart.

Shelf or charity shop?  It's living in the DVD limbo of the plastic storage box, but it's a definite keeper because of Scorsese's direction, Michael Ballhaus's excellent cinematography, it's exquisite production design, sweeping Elmer Bernstein score and luminious performances from Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder and Miriam Margolyes; Wharton's voice comes through loud and clear thanks to Joanne Woodward's excellent narration.

DVD/150: THE HOUSE OF MIRTH (Terence Davies, 2000)

Gillian Anderson is sublime as Edith Wharton's tragic heroine Lily Bart in Terence Davies' budget-constrained but reverential adaptation of THE HOUSE OF MIRTH.

1905, New York: Lily Bart is desperate... aged 29, with no inherited wealth but living with a disapproving aunt, she still needs to maintain the veneer expected of her, but an unwillingness to secure marriage with the available rich dullards leaves her exposed.

Forced into errors of judgment and despite good intentions, she slowly finds "her own level in society"; in her world, she is vulnerable to manipulation by so-called friends.

Her friend Lawrence Seldon could 'rescue' her but keeps his distance, maintaining his lawyer's salary would not satisfy Lily's debts.  Rosedale, a financier, offers marriage as a straight business proposal but Lily rejects him, realizing too late it would have offered a way out.

Ill-equipped to deal with real life, Lily is adrift...

Shelf or charity shop?  Davies' glacial pace may infuriate others but I think it serves the exquisite torture of watching Gillian Anderson's luminous Lily Bart slide from the elite into poverty.  The tight budget doesn't do Davies many favours but he is helped by committed performances from Anthony LaPaglia and Dan Ackroyd's men with money and power, Jodhi May and Eleanor Bron's unforgiving cousin and aunt, but above all, the glorious Laura Linney as Lily's smiling assassin Bertha Dorset.  Lily has found her level in society by languishing in the DVD limbo of the plastic storage box.