Renz
An Army of One
The great Martin Scorsese is at the top of his game in this brilliant adaptation of Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.
This film is a romance about three wealthy New Yorkers caught in a tragic love triangle. The ironically-titled story chronicles the grandeur and hypocrisy of New York high society in the 1870's. At the center of the film is Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis), an upstanding attorney who secretly longs for a more passionate life. Engaged to the lovely but ordinary socialite May Welland (Winona Ryder), Newland resigns himself to a life of quiet complacency. But when May's unconventional cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer), returns to New York amid social and sexual scandal, Newland risks everything for a chance at true love.
This film really showcases the talents and versatility of Scorsese. I especially like the way he uses shadow and sound to isolate characters in conversation and his attention to detail is nothing short of amazing. From the costumes to the sets to the food the characters eat, all are meticulously re-created. I also really enjoy the dialogue and how the language has changed since the post-Civil War era.
Wonderful performances by Day-Lewis, Pfeiffer and Ryder, as well as great narration by Joanne Woodward, this is a superb effort all the way around. A must-see for any Scorsese fan.
This film is a romance about three wealthy New Yorkers caught in a tragic love triangle. The ironically-titled story chronicles the grandeur and hypocrisy of New York high society in the 1870's. At the center of the film is Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis), an upstanding attorney who secretly longs for a more passionate life. Engaged to the lovely but ordinary socialite May Welland (Winona Ryder), Newland resigns himself to a life of quiet complacency. But when May's unconventional cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer), returns to New York amid social and sexual scandal, Newland risks everything for a chance at true love.
This film really showcases the talents and versatility of Scorsese. I especially like the way he uses shadow and sound to isolate characters in conversation and his attention to detail is nothing short of amazing. From the costumes to the sets to the food the characters eat, all are meticulously re-created. I also really enjoy the dialogue and how the language has changed since the post-Civil War era.
Wonderful performances by Day-Lewis, Pfeiffer and Ryder, as well as great narration by Joanne Woodward, this is a superb effort all the way around. A must-see for any Scorsese fan.
