Cinematic Analysis Part A

Momoreoluwa Del-Davidson
Green Group
9/22/18

The Age Of Innocence​, directed by Martin Scorsese, is set in 1870’s uptown Manhattan. The film

tells a story of hopeless love and obligation in an era where a family's reputation proves to be more

valuable than the wellbeing of its members, and leads to immense sacrifice. The film explores how the

social norms of family mean more than self fulfilment.

The opening scene is held at high society New York's customary opera. A lavishly dressed

audience is captivated by the voice performers. The central conflict is established when Newland Archer,

a newly engaged lawyer and the film's protagonist, finds himself enthralled with the newly arrived

Countess Ellen Olenska. Olenska is the cousin of his fiancée; who's intent to to divorce her adulterous

husband, and countless rumors about her virtue establish her as a pariah.

Archer and Olenska’s friendship quickly progresses, leaving both parties filled with uncertainty.

A confused Archer contemplates the concept of right and wrong. His heart wants Olenska; however, the

prominent people of New York imagine him with May Welland, a young woman from an important

family. The film climaxes when Olenska and Archer confess to each other. Olenska is unwilling to hurt

her family. She explains that after all they have done to provide her with comfort and safety, she couldn't

betray them by having a romantic relationship with Archer. Urged by Olenska, Archer takes May as his

wife.

An encounter in Boston after a year of no contact ignites old feelings between Archer and

Olenska. Unable to disentangle themselves, they begin an extramarital affair. Archer is distraught after

being told that his wife is expecting, and his mistress is leaving to England. He would never desert his

child, at the same time it would mean letting go of the only woman he’s ever loved. Add on the

realization that the people of New York know about his affair and are inconspicuously rallying behind his

wife. Archer is finally beginning to understand the extent of the family and social values that prevent him

from living the life he desires. For his child, his innocent wife, his normality, he remains in a warped
community. The story of his life serves as a quintessence that devotion to familial social norms can inhibit

the fulfillment of the individual.

Cinematic Analysis Part B

The Age of Innocence ​was originally written by Edith Wharton. The Screenplay, released in 1920,

sparks a reflection on the conservative Gilded Age. Newland Archer philosophically states, "There's no

point in liberating someone who doesn't realize she is not free.” In reality the women of 1920 are fighting

and clawing their way into the ballot box, demanding a voice. An ​ourstory.gov ​article describes the

suffragettes, “...champions of voting rights for women worked tirelessly”(“19th Amendment to the U.S.

Constitution”). Whereas women in the film are not combating the gross inequality because it isn't

acknowledged. A metaphor not missed by a progressive America.

Wharton was born and raised in uptown Manhattan during the Gilded Age. A ​New York Times

review of the movie describes Wharton, “Edith Wharton...was raised to behave like May Welland but

managed through...determination to lead a productive, successful version of the Countess's adventurous

life”(Prose, “In 'Age of Innocence,' Eternal Questions”). Wharton drew from her experience to create

characters that embody individuals from Gilded Age’s wealthiest communities.

The accuracy of Newland Archer's proclamation, “Our legislation favors divorce, but our customs

don't” requires a deeper examination. As a woman brought into a world where she could not do or say as

she pleased in order to attain a husband, and then as a divorcee; Wharton most likely drew from her own

hardships surrounding these ideas. Personal bias in the film is present as the high society is relentlessly

portrayed as superficial and uncompassionate by Wharton and later Scorsese; nevertheless, the Gilded

Age is generally associated with superficiality and disregard for others where it matters most. This film

not only offers a realistic view on the prominent clans of the Gilded Age, but allows viewers from every

generation to compare it with the ever changing social culture of America.

 Works Cited:

Canby, Vincent. “Review/Film: The Age of Innocence; Grand Passions and Good Manners.” The

New York Times, The New York Times, 17 Sept. 1993,

www.nytimes.com/1993/09/17/movies/review-film-the-age-of-innocence-grand-passions-and-good-mann

ers.html​.

“19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Women's Right to Vote (1920).” Our Documents -

Interstate Commerce Act (1887), ​www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=63​.

 Cinematic Analysis Part C, Question #3

The Age Of Innocence i​ s a film that beholds many metaphors under a central story. On the surface

the film features a Gilded Age story of forbidden love. In reality, the film explores how the social norms

of family and community overtake the desires of individuals. An example can be seen when Newland

Archer talks with Ellen Olenska regarding their affair, “​You gave me my first glimpse of a real life. Then

you asked me to go on with the false one. No one can endure that.” The “false” life to which Archer is

referring is his suspiciously innocent fiance, and artificial community members. Values of the community

can be seen at Countess Ellen Olenska’s welcoming dinner. A full kitchen with chefs and servants can be

seen preparing for the festivities. A scene later the same kitchen is bare, and the food thrown out. No one

shows up because the people of New York unanimously decide that Olenska and her scandal are not

welcome. It is the first intimation that no one stands with the Countess.

The carriage scene where Archer and Olenska are able to briefly speak as lovers rather than

in-laws shows how women are viewed during that time. Archer has to struggle to undo the buttons on the

countesses gloves. A symbol that women’s bodies are supposed to remain closed off from the world. Any

exposed skin is seen as promiscuous. Once the buttons come undone, Archer acts as if through that

gesture they can be themselves just a little more. Countess Olenska’s farewell scene solidifies the

unspoken community customs. The Narrator verbalizes Archers revelation that his wife and the

community know of his affair. Pushing Ellen away is their solution. Despite knowing of his wrongdoing

they still choose to ignore it in order to maintain the communities reputation. The social customs of the

community disallow Archer to do anything but watch the love of his life leave while he stays behind to

play the role of dutiful husband and father. This proves once again that the social norms of community

and family often mean more than individual yearnings.