My Favorite Scorsese Movie Of The 90s Is Leaving Netflix At The End Of September, So Catch It Before It’s Gone!

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Everyone usually says “Goodfellas” when you ask about Martin Scorsese’s best film from the 1990s. However, that’s not *my* pick – I actually prefer “The Age of Innocence”!

Let’s be honest, it’s a bit unusual to choose *The Age of Innocence* as a favorite Martin Scorsese film. But the person who does probably also loves *Silence*, ranks *Casino* above *Goodfellas* (and they’re right!), and considers the 1980s to be Scorsese’s strongest period. That’s the kind of fan we’re talking about!

Martin Scorsese’s *The Age of Innocence* is a fantastic film that doesn’t get enough attention, and it’s currently available on Netflix. However, it will be removed from the service on September 30th, so don’t miss your chance to watch it!

Scorsese’s The Age Of Innocence Does A Great Job Of Adapting An Excellent Novel

The phrase “keeping up with the Joneses” describes the habit of buying expensive things to appear successful, often in response to what others are doing. Interestingly, the “Joneses” weren’t just a made-up family – they were a real New York family! Edith Wharton, the author of *The Age of Innocence*, actually *was* Edith Jones before she married.

I’m mentioning all of this because the novel explores both striving for and rejecting social status. Interestingly, the title is ironic – the actual Gilded Age wasn’t a time of innocence, but a period where society *pretended* it was. It’s a complex idea, and the Scorsese adaptation does a fantastic job of capturing all these nuances, which must have been challenging.

The film centers around three main characters: Newland Archer, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, May Welland (Winona Ryder), and Countess Ellen Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer). Archer, a successful lawyer, hopes to marry into the Welland family to boost his social standing. Things appear promising until he meets May’s cousin, Countess Olenska, who is going through a divorce and, in an act of defiance, had an affair with her husband’s secretary.

In their society, this behavior is considered a major scandal. Archer initially feels pity for Olenska, but that quickly turns to desire, even though he’s married to May. This parallel between the book and the film is a key reason why it’s considered one of the greatest movie adaptations of a classic novel.

Daniel Day-Lewis Is A Fantastic Newland Archer, Of Course

It’s no surprise that Daniel Day-Lewis gives an incredible performance in *The Age of Innocence* (and I’m excited to see him act again in *Anemone*). The character of Newland Archer is very nuanced, evoking a lot of different feelings, and Day-Lewis perfectly portrays all of them.

At the beginning of the film, we quickly learn Archer’s motivations for wanting to marry May – it’s about social standing. However, the film also establishes him as a considerate man because he’s bothered by the double standard: her husband can be unfaithful, but she’d be ruined if she did the same. This hints at his growing dissatisfaction with societal expectations, a feeling that intensifies after he marries May and then falls in love with Countess Olenska, who is seeking a divorce.

Daniel Day-Lewis portrays Archer as a complex character – both likable and flawed. He grows bored with his wife, May, and considers having an affair with her cousin after regretting his marriage. Edith Wharton created Archer so convincingly that the audience almost *wants* him to find happiness elsewhere, and Day-Lewis brilliantly captures this internal conflict, evoking sympathy for all the characters involved.

Even after the movie ends – and I won’t give away any spoilers – you still feel sympathy for the character. That’s a testament to Daniel Day-Lewis’s acting ability, as it could have been difficult to make the audience connect with him so strongly.

Michelle Pfeiffer Steals This Movie As Countess Olenska

Michelle Pfeiffer delivers a truly standout performance, even alongside someone as talented as Daniel Day-Lewis. The film captures the essence of her character, Countess Olenska, as a woman ahead of her time. She recognizes societal expectations but refuses to conform to them. Despite family pressure to remain in an unhappy marriage to avoid scandal, she bravely prioritizes her own happiness and independence.

Michelle Pfeiffer perfectly embodies the character’s internal conflict. She portrays a woman who prioritizes her own happiness without feeling guilt, yet exercises remarkable self-control. Though deeply in love with Newland, she refrains from fully pursuing the relationship to protect her cousin. Pfeiffer avoids sensationalizing the role, instead delivering a nuanced performance faithful to the character’s portrayal in the original book.

She’s independent and knows what she’ll and won’t accept, but she keeps making choices that will likely cause her problems later on. Michelle Pfeiffer is great in this role because she convincingly portrays both a potential love interest and someone who feels completely out of reach, due to the expectations of society.

While *The Age of Innocence* isn’t usually my top Scorsese film from the 90s, the performances by Daniel Day-Lewis and Michelle Pfeiffer are outstanding. Pfeiffer, in particular, is truly exceptional.

It’s Also Probably My Favorite Period Piece Of Scorsese’s As It Nails The Era

Many film fans consider Martin Scorsese’s 2002 movie, *Gangs of New York*, to be one of his best, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a fantastic film, and his depiction of the Five Points neighborhood was particularly impressive.

I enjoyed his depiction of 1862 New York, but I preferred his version of the 1870s. I simply found the portrayal of upper-class society more appealing than the depiction of poverty. It really highlights Daniel Day-Lewis’s skill as an actor, though, considering he could convincingly play characters from any social class.

I’m drawn to depictions of wealth and privilege – grand paintings of families, women in beautiful gowns, and a glimpse into a luxurious lifestyle. I enjoy the visual details of that era, like impressive staircases and horse-drawn carriages. Essentially, I love escaping to a romanticized version of old New York, focusing on the glamorous upper class. In my opinion, Scorsese captured this atmosphere best in *The Age of Innocence*, even more so than in his other films.

Each time I read it, I feel like an observer watching the flaws and hypocrisies of the upper class, and I believe that was exactly what Edith Wharton wanted to portray in the novel.

Like Scorsese’s film *After Hours*, I believe *The Age of Innocence* is his most underrated work. It’s currently available on Netflix, so I highly recommend checking it out before it’s gone!

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2025-09-22 20:12