Writer/Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Richard E. Grant, Winona Ryder and Daniel Day-Lewis
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Britain have made movies that grant attention of Richard E. Grant. Ever since his rise to recognition during the 1990’s, Grant has made memorable movies. Whether it’s political leaders, housekeepers or powerful aristocrat figures, Grant has portrayed several strong characters. Arguably, Grant’s strength as an actor has often been his strong screen presence. He is one of those actors which has always had an aptitude for stealing the show in supporting roles which have limited screen time. Even when he’s given small screen time in movies, Grant has often managed to leave a lasting impression. A British icon, Grant is an actor that audiences cherish. Through ability to take risks in his career, Grant has become an actor that audiences value. Throughout an illustrious career, Grant has made many great movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Grant and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “The Age of Innocence” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 1993, Martin Scorsese’s film has stood the test of time as a period classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest period piece movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Richard E. Grant, portraying an aristocratic man seeking stable marriage during an era of innocence. Ultimately, what makes “The Age of Innocence” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most period films set in old-fashioned eras, it tackles relatable themes everyone will identify with. A riveting masterpiece about doomed romance, there‘s many reasons why “The Age of Innocence” is a commemorated period piece which is definitely worth seeing.
Amidst 19th Century New York, “The Age of Innocence” tells the story of a doomed love affair without innocence. Daniel Day-Lewis portrays Newland Archer, an aristocrat that is trapped in a broken marriage. Newland shares a complicated bond with fiancée May Welland (Winona Ryder). However, Archer’s life forever changes when he engages in a doomed affair causing disaster. Archer becomes attached to Countess Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer), a bold woman with dreams of her own. Archer and the Countess soon begin a romantic affair destined to end in despair. Assisted by long-time companion Larry (Richard E. Grant), Archer keeps his romantic relationship with the countess a secret. As his secret affair gains public spotlight, Archer behind to wonder if it’s possible to overcome his plight. Questioning his place during an age of innocence, Archer wonders whether it’s possible for him to gain romantic experience.
Martin Scorsese is a newcomer to themes of doomed love. Before he directed “The Age of Innocence”, Scorsese had never produced a romantic movie before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a legendary book about doomed love affairs during the 19th Century, but he pulled it off. Using big cinematography, Scorsese captures the lives of aristocrats that seek romance in 19th Century. Scorsese deftly uses close-ups capturing the tensions which aristocrats in the 19th Century are facing. For instance, close-ups elevate the romantic affair scene. During this unforgettable scene, Archer and Newland engage in a doomed love affair causing tension. Close-ups are tricky to use in movies. As James Mangold’s “Logan” claimed clearly, close-ups elevate comic book movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Scorsese captures the tensions that countesses during an age of innocence are facing.
Another commendable aspect of “The Age of Innocence” that’s worth discussing is the set-design. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Scorsese uses strong costume design to capture lives of writers that decline. For instance, costumes enhance the ballroom party scene. During this memorable scene, Newland attends the ballroom party with sequences which are terrify. Costumes are tricky techniques to use. However, they work well in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. The commemorated music gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing tensions that lovers face engaging in a doomed affair. Through gorgeous production, Scorsese captures lovers stuck sin doomed marriages facing destruction.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons win “The Agr of Innocence” is a captivating romantic movie which is compelling. The film is beautifully written; and effectively uses silence to capture the lives of doomed lovers facing tension. For instance, silence elevates the farewell scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Newland bids emotional farewell to the Countess Oleska causing trauma. One admires silence capturing tensions that men in broken affairs are facing. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Richard Curtis’ “About Time” suggested, silence elevates romantic dramas about time travel. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Scorsese captures lovers in broken marriages facing a painful price to pay in a big way.
One admires amazing performances.
Richard E. Grant delivers one of his best career performances as Larry. Grant first earned wide attention for playing aristocratic men in period dramas. With “The Age of Innocence”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a man engaging in a doomed love affair causing tension, but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, depression and resentment of a man in a broken marriage. It’s a strong performance from one of the finest actors working in the film industry today.
The supporting cast is amazing and also worthy of appreciation. Daniel Day-Lewis is dazzling, capturing the dilemma of a man engaging a doomed love affair that comes with a painful price to pay. Michelle Pfeiffer is magnificent, bringing an air of mystery to a woman seeking marriages facing disaster. Lastly, Winona Ryder merits appreciation. As a young woman in a doomed marriage, she brings tension to the movie.
Finally, “The Age of Innocence” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing marriages that end without innocence. Unlike most period dramas, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes such as identity, social class and marriage which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the book to appreciate it. Therefore, “The Age of Innocence” is one of those rare period dramas everyone would adore.
Fans of Richard E. Grant will definitely appreciate “The Age of Innocence” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. captivating period drama, it honoured a British actor with commemorated charisma.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking period piece about lovers engaging in a doomed romantic affair during an age of innocence, it’s a captivating reminder about a commemorated British actor with a strong presence that has made unforgettable movies throughout his career which definitely deserve to attract a huge audience.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 