The Age of Innocence (1993)
Newland Archer couldn't be more pleased with his recent engagement to the beautiful
debutante May Welland. However, his world is thrown upside down by the sensational arrival
of May's cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska. Recently returned to America after separating from
her husband, a philandering Polish count, Countess Olenska shocks the staid New York
aristocracy with her revealing clothes, carefree manners, and rumors of adultery. Because the
Countess's family, headed by the powerful Mrs. Manson Mingott, have chosen to reintroduce
her into good society, Archer and May feel it necessary to befriend her.
As Archer comes to better know the Countess, he begins to appreciate her unconventional
views on New York society. Meanwhile, Archer becomes increasingly disillusioned with his new
fianceé, May. He begins to see her as the manufactured product of her class: polite, innocent,
and utterly devoid of personal opinion and sense of self.
The Countess Olenska soon announces her intention of divorcing her husband. While Archer
supports her desire for freedom, he feels compelled to act on behalf of the Mingott family and
persuade Ellen to remain married. At a friend's cottage near Hudson, Archer realizes that he is
in love with Ellen. He abruptly leaves the next day for Florida, where he is reunited with May
and her parents, who are there on vacation. There, he presses May to shorten their
engagement. May becomes suspicious and asks him if his hurry to get married is prompted by
the fear that he is marrying the wrong person. Archer reassures May that he is in love with
her. Back in New York, Archer calls on Ellen, and Archer admits that he is in love with her. Just
then, a telegram arrives from May, announcing that her parents have pushed forward the
wedding date.
After their wedding and honeymoon in Europe, Archer and May settle down to married life in
New York. Over time, Archer's memory of Ellen fades to a wistful image. But on vacation in
Newport, he is reunited with her, and Ellen promises not to return to Europe as long as she
and Newland do not act upon their love for each other. Back in New York, Archer learns that
Count Olenski wants his wife to return to him and that Ellen has refused. After the stroke of
her grandmother, Ellen returns to New York to care for her. She and Archer agree to
consummate their affair. But suddenly, Ellen announces her intention to return to Europe. May
throws a farewell party for Ellen, and after the guests leave, May announces to Archer that she
is pregnant and that she told Ellen her news two weeks earlier. Twenty-five years pass. In that
time, the Archers have had three children and May has died from pneumonia. Now Archer's
son convinces him to travel to France. There, they arrange to visit the Countess Olenska at her
Paris apartment. However, at the last minute Archer sends his son alone to visit her, content
instead to live with his memories of the past.
Cast
Daniel Day-Lewis ... Newland Archer
Michelle Pfeiffer ... Ellen Olenska
Winona Ryder ... May Welland
Alexis Smith ... Louisa van der Luyden
Geraldine Chaplin ... Mrs. Welland
Mary Beth Hurt ... Regina Beaufort
Alec McCowen ... Sillerton Jackson
Richard E. Grant ... Larry Lefferts
Miriam Margolyes ... Mrs. Mingott
Robert Sean Leonard ... Ted Archer
Siân Phillips ... Mrs. Archer
Jonathan Pryce ... Rivière
Michael Gough ... Henry van der Luyden
Joanne Woodward ... Narrator (voice)
Stuart Wilson ... Julius Beaufort
