The Age of Innocence (1993)

Director: Martin Scorsese
Stars: Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder
Runtime: 139 minutes

Synopsis: A tale of nineteenth-century New York high society in which a young lawyer falls in love with a woman separated from her husband, while he is engaged to the woman's cousin.

Verdict: Seriously, though, how many filmmakers can make one of the best gangster films of all time, a haunting psychological thriller, and a costume period drama back to back, all in the span of 4 years? By directing “Goodfellas” in 1990, “Cape Fear” in 1991, and “The Age of Innocence” in 1993, Martin Scorsese proved that he’s not scared of diving into uncharted waters and that he truly is one the most prolific auteurs of his generation(s).

Now I’ll be honest, I’m usually not the biggest admirer of this particular type of dramatic period piece (emphasis on usually), even when they star the likes of Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, or Wynona Ryder as three New York upper-class members drawn into a complex love triangle. Despite their stellar performances and Marty’s brilliant direction, made even more peculiar thanks to some jaw-dropping production design, unexpected camera movements and editing tricks, and a beautiful score by the late Elmer Bernstein, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I found the 139-minute long watch a bit tedious at times.

The reason behind it is most definitely one that has to do with personal taste. “The Age of Innocence”, described by Marty himself as being the most violent movie he’s ever made, is undoubtedly a tragic love story that elegantly pitches two ways of thinking against one another. Ellen (Pfeiffer) represents freedom, an escape from the elitist livelihoods of the New York bourgeoisie, while May (Ryder) is a symbol of innocence and social constraints. This clash of personalities turns the romance on its head, adding a lot more depth to it and setting it apart from the typical love story we’ve grown accustomed to.

“The Age of Innocence” is a dark horse in Marty’s filmography that certainly deserves more attention, especially from aficionados of the period piece genre. It’s Scorsese at the top of his game, even if I had a difficult time getting into it as much as I would’ve liked to.

FINAL GRADE: 7/10