Washington Square (1997)

Catherine Sloper has found the man of her dreams in Morris Townsend, but her plans to marry him are strongly opposed by her father, who believes Townsend is only interested in his daughter ... See full summary »

Director:

Agnieszka Holland

Writers:

Henry James (novel), Carol Doyle (screenplay)

Stars:

Jennifer Jason Leigh, Albert Finney, Maggie Smith

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jennifer Jason Leigh	...	Catherine Sloper
Albert Finney	...	Dr. Austin Sloper
Maggie Smith	...	Aunt Lavinia Penniman
Ben Chaplin	...	Morris Townsend
Judith Ivey	...	Aunt Elizabeth Almond
Arthur Laupus	...	Mr. Almond
Jennifer Garner	...	Marian Almond
Robert Stanton	...	Arthur Townsend
Betsy Brantley	...	Mrs. Montgomery
Nancy Daly	...	Maureen (Maid)
Sara Ruzicka	...	Catherine Sloper (age 11)
Rachel Layne Sacrey	...	Sarah Almond
Rachel Osborne	...	Alice Almond
Scott Jaeck	...	John Ludlow
Peter Maloney	...	Jacob Webber (Notary)

Storyline

Catherine Sloper has found the man of her dreams in Morris Townsend, but her plans to marry him are strongly opposed by her father, who believes Townsend is only interested in his daughter for her money. But Catherine is determined to follow her heart, even if she loses her inheritance in the process. But just what are Townsend's intentions?

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Plot Keywords:

money | twenty something | self destruction | based on stage play based on novel | dying | 

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Taglines:

She must choose between her father's fortune... Or the man she loves.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements including some sensuality, a childbirth scene and brief mild language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

10 October 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Erbin vom Washington Square

Filming Locations:

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

DEM 103,171 (Germany) (3 April 1998)

Gross:

DEM 103,171 (Germany) (3 April 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alchemy Filmworks, Caravan Pictures, Hollywood Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jennifer Jason Leigh beat out Meg Ryan and Diane Lane for the lead role.

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Quotes

Dr. Austin Sloper: It would give me great satisfaction if you were to promise that upon my death you will not marry Townsend.
Catherine Sloper: I very seldom think of Mr. Townsend.
Dr. Austin Sloper: All the easier to keep your promise.
Catherine Sloper: I can't promise.
Dr. Austin Sloper: You are very obstinate.
Catherine Sloper: I don't think you understand.
Dr. Austin Sloper: Please explain, then.
Catherine Sloper: I can't explain. And I can't promise.

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Connections

Version of Affairs of the Heart: Catherine (1974)

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Soundtracks

"Tu chiami una vita"
Lyrics by Salvatore Quasimodo
Music by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek
Performed by Darlene Koldenhoven and Joseph Williams

User Reviews

Over-long, over-acted, and over-directed

This was such a ham-handed film that only the invisible force field that surrounds my couch prevented me from getting up and turning the television off. Much of Leigh's performance seemed to consist of channelling Ally Sheedy's quirky "Breakfast Club" shtick. Jeez, Catherine isn't supposed to be the village idiot; she's just naive and sheltered. The scenes involving pants-wetting and prostitution were unfaithful to James' spirit, let alone the actual text, and the music was god-awful and anachronistic, especially the irritating piano duet.

Albert Finney and Maggie Smith did their best, but the direction gets the Golden Toilet award. Oh, look; it's sunny - such felicity abounds! Aw, gee, it's raining, let's all fall down in the street to the sounds of swelling symphonic shmaltz. Peuw.

And I am normally a such a forgiving costume drama fiend. Alas.