
The Age of Innocence
1993, Drama, 2h 18m
56 Reviews 10,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Equal measures romantic and wistful, Martin Scorsese's elegant adaptation of The Age of Innocence is a triumphant exercise in both stylistic and thematic restraint. Read critic reviews
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Cast & Crew
Newland Archer
Ellen Olenska
May Welland
Larry Lefferts
Sillerton Jackson
Mrs. Welland
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Critic Reviews for The Age of Innocence
All Critics (56) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (47) | Rotten (9)
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A consistent spellbinder, laying bare its inhabitants' follies and furies with a tender touch and a vigilant quietude that accumulates into a grand force.
August 7, 2018 | Full Review… -
Following Wharton's example, Scorsese accepts The Age of Innocence's flamboyantly wealthy and corrupt characters as they are without indulging in fashionably retrospective editorializing.
August 4, 2018 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review… -
I don't know any of those [prior] versions, and I wonder how (which means I doubt that) they avoided the snare that Wharton unwittingly set for her adapters, the snare that, for all his gifts, caught Scorsese.
June 19, 2013 | Full Review… -
Quote not available.
September 7, 2011 | Rating: B+ | Full Review… -
Day-Lewis and Pfeifer are on top form with Ryder giving the performance of her career.
February 1, 2010 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review… -
Manages to be both personal and true to its source, though it never quite comes together.
February 1, 2010 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for The Age of Innocence
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Sep 11, 2017You may have to shrug off your disdain for films about the upper crust of society to watch this one. If you can do that, and if you can patiently allow the story to unfold, you will be rewarded. Director Martin Scorsese is true to Wharton's brilliant novel, and was painstaking in his attention to all of the little details of the time period. The narration by Joanne Woodward is excellent. The forbidden love Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis) has for Countess Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer) while being engaged to May Welland (Winona Ryder) grows ever so gradually, until it becomes a raging fire. At the same time, there is great restraint here, accurate to the morals of the day, but leaving one with a much deeper feeling of the angst involved as a result. The little signals each person in this love triangle send to one another often have great subtlety, yet it feels just as powerful as if they were yelling or screaming. I confess I didn't think any of the three principal actors delivered a great performance - Day-Lewis is a little too morose, Pfeiffer lacks that teeny touch of wickedness, and Ryder's acting is the most suspect, despite her Oscar nomination. The chemistry between Day-Lewis and Pfeiffer does not seem authentic, but with all of that said, each of them is reasonably good. I think Scorsese was dead on with the tone and this is clearly a labor of love, but I don't think the story needed 139 minutes, and there are some issues with pace (which compound the understated action). On the other hand, he gives us some truly wonderful moments, all leading to an ending that is absolutely brilliant, which, just as with the novel, left me with goosebumps.Antonius B Super Reviewer
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Mar 20, 2014Watched some of this on tv, and I have to say, this might be the most boring film I've ever seen. I was seriously fighting to stay awake. Avoid this film unless you want to watch it at bedtime to help you fall asleep.Stephen S Super Reviewer
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Apr 01, 2012The Age of Innocence is a dramatic period film that explores some interesting themes. From director Martin Scorsese, comes a tale of high society in New York during the 19th century and the trappings that went along with it. Scorsese assembles an impressive cast that includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer and Winona Ryder, and there's a good chemistry among the actors that helps the film to connect with the audience and bring them into the story. However, there are issues with the storytelling: it goes on for far too long and gets lost among the minutiae of high society. The Age of Innocence is an intriguing drama with some good performances, but it rambles a bit too much.Dann M Super Reviewer
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Mar 11, 2012A well-acted, if occasionally boring and long-winded study of 19th century New York and how a young upper-class man (Daniel Day-Lewis) slowly begins to detach himself from his wife (Winona Ryder) in hopes of starting a relationship with her cousin (Michelle Pfeiffer). If not for Day-Lewis's convincing, arresting turn as a man deeply troubled by what he should do and what he truly feels, this movie would probably be lost on me. Instead, it is quite good, in addition to Scorsese's firm direction which includes some original camera tricks to spice up the story every once in a while. It goes on a little too long, and sometimes you question if you should even be caring about these snobby upper-class people. However, the characters are given the proper color and depth they need, in addition to the plot being able to keep the story going in the second half, when you do not know what Day-Lewis's character will decide to do. The end result is a fine film, a minor entry into Scorsese's resume, and one of the few chances audiences around the world get to see the brilliance that is the actor Daniel Day-Lewis.Dan S Super Reviewer
The Age of Innocence Quotes
Ellen Olenska: | Don't make love to me. Too many people have done that. |
Ellen Olenska: | I must go where I am invited or I would be too lonely. |
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