"The Age of Innocence": the Film Quiz

Answer: Edith Wharton

Edith Wharton was born Edith Newbold Jones in 1862, to a wealthy New York family. She was married once, to Edward Robbins Wharton; they divorced in 1913. The first of her novels to be published was "The House of Mirth", in 1905. From 1907 on, she made her home in France, where she worked for many charitable causes.

She provided work for unemployed women, aided musicians, supported tuberculosis hospitals and refugee hostels. Her masterpiece, "The Age of Innocence", was published in 1920, and won the Pulitzer Prize. Wharton continued writing until her death in France in 1937.

Answer: Daniel Day-Lewis

Newland is an intellectual man, a voracious reader, who loves nothing more than receiving his monthly shipment of books from London. He is pleased by his engagement to lovely debutante May Welland. This happiness will not last. The arrival of May's cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska, creates a sensation in New York society. Ellen is different: she is not terribly concerned with convention. She smokes! There are even rumors that she may have taken a lover after leaving her husband, Count Olenski. When Ellen's grandmother decides to have a dinner party in her honor, the entire town sends its regrets. Archer is disgusted by this snub, and convinces the van der Luydens, New York social royalty, to remedy the situation. They host a dinner party for Ellen, and this time everyone attends. Ellen is made aware of Newland's favor and is grateful to him. As Newland gets to know Ellen Olenska, he realizes that they see many things the same way. Ellen intends to divorce her philandering husband, she wants to be free. Although Newland agrees with her, Ellen's relatives are against the divorce, fearing further scandal. In spite of his feelings, Newland believes that it's his duty to persuade Ellen to remain married. He visits her several times to discuss this, as his law firm is handling her affairs. Soon Newland realizes that he is passionately in love with the Countess Olenska.

Daniel Day-Lewis gives a fine performance as the anguished Newland Archer. We see the pain of his great loss in his eyes, his face, in the way he carries himself, even though it is almost never spoken aloud.
Day-Lewis had already received an Academy Award for his work in "My Left Foot" in 1989.

Answer: Michelle Pfieffer

As Archer recognizes his true feelings for Ellen, he decides to persuade his fiancee to marry him immediately. She is suspicious of his motives and still holds out for a long engagement. Shortly after this, Newland calls on Ellen, and finally admits to her that he loves her.

At the same time, May notifies him that her parents have agreed that they can cut short their engagement, and that they should marry very soon. Michelle Pfieffer has given many fine performances, and this one is right up there with the best.

She has been nomimated for Best Actress for "Love Field" in 1992, "The Fabulous Baker Boys" in 1989 and "Dangerous Liasons" in 1988.

Answer: Winona Ryder

After they marry and take their honeymoon in Europe, Newland and May Archer settle down in New York. He convinces himself that his love for Ellen Olenska is a thing of the past, but while on vacation, he sees her again, and realizes his feelings for her are as strong as ever. Ellen promises him that she will not return to Europe and Count Olenski. Although the Count wants her to return to him; Ellen has refused. After her grandmother falls ill, Ellen returns to New York to assist her, and again sees Newland. Finally she agrees to go to Newland in private, just once, to consummate their affair. It never happens. Suddenly Ellen announces that she intends to return to Europe after all. May and a dismayed Newland host a farewell party for her. After the guests are gone, May tells Newland that she is expecting a child. She also lets him know that Ellen was told about May's pregnancy earlier, which undoubtedly is the reason for Ellen's sudden decision to leave.
May is wide-eyed and innocent, and appears to be unaware of the turmoil her announcements have caused, but Winona Ryder (as May) begins to show us that May is smarter than anyone gives her credit for, and that she knows full well what she's doing all along.
Winona Ryder was singled out by many critics for her fine performance in this film. She was the only actor in the film to receive an Oscar nomination. Ryder was also nominated for an Oscar for her role in "Little Women", the 1994 version.

Answer: Alexis Smith

Louisa van der Luyden, played in the film by Alexis Smith, is the wife of Henry van der Luyden. The van der Luydens are the closest thing to royalty in New York's aristocratic social circles. They are the most powerful, influential couple in New York society, yet they are very low-key, seldom entertain and are rarely seen in public.
Alexis Smith had a long career in movies and the theater. She starred in "Follies" on the Broadway stage.
The film's casting, as always with Martin Scorsese, is impeccable. All the actresses mentioned appear in the film, adding luster and elegance to even the smallest roles.

Answer: Joanne Woodward

The narration is so important to the film, and Joanne Woodward's wonderful voice is perfect for it. Her narration is taken word for word from the book.
The film's screenplay received an Academy Award nomination (Best Writing, screenplay based on material from another medium) for Jay Cocks and Martin Scorsese.
"The Age of Innocence" won just one Academy Award, for Best Costume Design, for Gabriella Pescucci. In addition, it was nominated for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration for Dante Ferretti and Robert J. Franco; Best Music, Original Score for Elmer Bernstein, and Best Supporting Actress for Winona Ryder.

Answer: Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese is of course best known for his graphic and gritty films. This film is brutal in its own way - the story of a man utterly vanquished. Scorsese catches every detail, every subtlety. Everyone knows exactly what is happening between Newland and Ellen, and they will all do whatever it takes to prevent their romance, without anyone ever giving a sign.

Answer: Julius Beaufort

Ellen's relatives feel that the location of the house where she is living is unacceptable, thus Beaufort is looking for a proper place for her.
Beaufort's indiscretions with women other than his wife are well-known to everyone. His wife Regina is related to Ellen and May. He is the one of the first to accept Ellen socially when she arrives, although his motives are suspect. Ellen is not interested in his attentions, although she is polite to him. With their lavish opera balls and dinner parties, the Beauforts are important hosts in New York's high-class social circles. After a terrible business failure and scandal, Beaufort is promptly shunned by everyone.
Julius Beaufort is portrayed by Stuart Wilson, an English theater and film actor.

Answer: False

This film contains no nude scenes, no violence, no profanity. It proves that those things are not always necessary. There are many movies with graphic love scenes, and yet there is as much, if not more passion shown here when Newland unbuttons Ellen's glove to kiss her wrist.

Answer: No

Twenty-five years have passed, and May Archer has died. Newland and his grown son have gone to Paris, where the son arranges a meeting with the Countess Olenska, his mother's cousin. Newland cannot decide whether to meet with Ellen, even though he is free to do so. Newland sends his son to meet Ellen while he waits outside.

He's looking for a sign from her, but there is none. A servant closes the curtains, and Newland leaves. His son has just told him that May knew about his love for Ellen all along, that everyone knew, and she told her son of it on her deathbed.