Search - Age of Innocence on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG Content Advisory: Adult Situations, Suitable for Children Movie Release: 1993 DVD Release: 11/06/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Edition: Dual Layered Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French, Korean, Spanish, Thai SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 18 mins Studio: Columbia TriStar Members Wishing: 17 Genres: Drama, Romance, Romantic Drama, Period Film

In Martin Scorsese's adaptation of Edith Wharton's 1920 novel, romance between an upper-class gentleman and an ostracized lady is doomed by 19th century New York society. Shortly after his engagement to blandly genteel May Welland (Winona Ryder), Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis) is reacquainted with May's scandalous cousin Ellen Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer). As the head of an esteemed family, Archer initially uses his standing to try to rehabilitate Ellen's reputation, but he finds himself increasingly drawn to her disregard for the codes of New York manners. Bound by ingrained society mores and his peers' insinuations, Newland tries to dodge his growing passion by rushing his marriage to May, but he cannot keep himself from confessing his love to Ellen. Recognizing that Newland could never abandon his sense of honor and be happy, Ellen pushes Newland to May and leaves town. The marriage proceeds as dictated, but when Newland unexpectedly sees Ellen again, he yearns for the affair to come to fruition. However, he underestimates not only what May knows but also her ability to uphold the rules of propriety. Sumptuously shot by Michael Ballhaus, the film offers meticulously designed costumes and settings that evoke a culture as seductively beautiful in its surfaces as it is stifling in its rituals. Unspoken emotions are expressed through such details as yellow roses or a clipped cigar, a fade to red or a single camera move. Using Wharton's original prose to comment on the setting's hypocrisies, Joanne Woodward's voiceover narration suggests how much decisive power is buried beneath dainty femininity. The Age of Innocence received five Oscar nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for Ryder and Best Screenplay for Scorsese and Jay Cocks, and a win for Best Costumes. Although The Age of Innocence seemed like a departure from Scorsese's prior work, Newland is as much at the mercy of his circle's Byzantine structure (and his own conscience) as are Scorsese's more familiar mobsters; Newland's persecutors just wear white tie and tails. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide

Daniel Day-Lewis - Newland Archer
Michelle Pfeiffer - Ellen Olenska
Winona Ryder - May Welland
Miriam Margolyes - Mrs. Mingott
Richard E. Grant - Larry Lefferts
Alec McCowen - Sillerton Jackson

Martin Scorsese's beautifully detailed costume drama, adapted from Edith Wharton's award-winning novel, makes a splendid DVD, though one that is unfortunately lacking in the extras department. The widescreen presentation (2.35:1), anamorphically enhanced for 16 x 9 TVs, is clean and sharp throughout. There are plenty of saturated colors, especially yellow and red, and they do cause some blooming and bleeding in some scenes. But overall, the picture is excellent and stable. The Dolby Digital 5.1 English soundtrack is great, as is the two-channel surround option. There is also a French surround track as well. The disc also has multiple subtitle options, the original theatrical trailer (as well as others), production notes, and filmographies. The Columbia-TriStar disc also includes informative liner notes inside the keep case. It's a disc well-worth owning, though hopefully there will be a more complete special edition to come in the future. ~ Derek Hill, All Movie Guide