MovieChat Forums > The Age of Innocence (1993) Discussion > Stunning recreation of a bygone era

Stunning recreation of a bygone era

posted 8 years ago by Maddyclassicfilms
2 replies | jump to latest

I really love this film for it's story; but I love it more for the grand job of recreating this time for us on the screen.

The level of detail shown is extraordinary. Watching it is like seeing one of the paintings of life at this time brought to life. The clothes, the behaviour of people, the food, and the sumptuous interiors of homes etc are all stunning.

We also get a good sense of how restrictive the customs of upper class life were. If someone strayed from the traditional way of doing things they became a pariah. It would have taken great courage to break with the tradition at this time. Makes you admire Pfeiffer's character.

I think this is Scorsese's best film, his attention to detail and how he brings this time to life for us is admirable. I wish he would make another period drama.

Anyone else here love the look of this film?

Go to bed Frank or this is going to get ugly .

[–] gianmarcorusso-51436 8 years ago

I agree with you, just two notes.

The first one about the costumes: don't know why Scorsese and the costume designer did the things that way, but...they were totally wrong. The costumes shown in the movie belong to the '80s fashion. You could start to see that kind of dresses by the end of the '70s just among the finest society in Paris and London, for sure not in the New York society portrayed in the movie, which was still quite provincial, as we're reminded through the whole movie (characters always imitate European fashions and manners).

The second one: "We also get a good sense of how restrictive the customs of upper class life were. If someone strayed from the traditional way of doing things they became a pariah." It's the same today, but with different parameters. And not only in the upper class. People still feel the urge to respect social expectations in order to feel safe in their lives, like encapsuled in a comfort zone.

[–] AvaSinatra59 (195) 5 years ago

Totally agree with you. It's mesmerizing.