The Age of Innocence

The Age of Innocence is a 1993 American film adaptation of Edith Wharton's 1920 novel of the same name. The film was released by Columbia Pictures, directed by Martin Scorsese, and stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Winona Ryder.

The film won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, and was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Winona Ryder), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score and Best Art Direction.

The film was dedicated to Martin Scorsese's father, Charles Scorsese, who died before it was completed.

Plot

Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis) is an affluent lawyer in 1870s New York, engaged to May Welland (Winona Ryder), a beautiful but conventional socialite. Newland begins to question the life he has planned for himself after the arrival of May’s cousin, the exotic and sophisticated Countess Ellen Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer). Ellen is a passionate lover who is seeking a divorce from her abusive husband, a Polish count, which has made her a social outcast and greatly displeases her family, who are afraid of scandal. As Newland grows to love and care more and more deeply for Ellen, having convinced her not to press for a divorce, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the society to which he belongs and the idea of entering into a passionless marriage with May. The question at this point, is whether he will follow society's dictates, or those of his heart.

Cast

Daniel Day-Lewis as Newland Archer

Michelle Pfeiffer as Countess Ellen Olenska

Winona Ryder as May Welland

Alexis Smith as Louisa van der Luyden

Geraldine Chaplin as Mrs. Welland

Mary Beth Hurt as Regina Beaufort

Alec McCowen as Sillerton Jackson

Richard E. Grant as Larry Lefferts

Miriam Margolyes as Mrs. Mingott

Robert Sean Leonard as Ted Archer

Siân Phillips as Mrs. Archer

Carolyn Farina as Jenny Archer

June Squibb as Maid

Jonathan Pryce as Rivière

Michael Gough as Henry van der Luyden

Norman Lloyd as Mr. Letterblair

Stuart Wilson as Julius Beaufort