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

Morris Townsend: A woman of such uncommon grace has no need of guile.

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Connections

Version of The Heiress (1949)

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Soundtracks

"The Tale Of The String"
Lyrics by Alan Bergman & Marilyn Bergman
Music by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek

User Reviews

If you like this movie, then you should try....

If you liked this movie, then you should try William Wyler's "The Heiress" (1949) featuring GWTW's Melanie, Olivia de Havilland and Montgomery Clift. Both of these movies contain moving performances from all of the lead actors. Catherine Sloper is skillfully portrayed as an unworldly, naive, young woman who falls for financially-unmatched, well-cultured, dashing Morris Townsend. The overprotective yet unloving Dr. Austin Sloper, Catherine's father, will make your blood boil! Both movies have the making for some intense soap opera-like drama - suspenseful in every regard, keeps you reaching for that bowl of popcorn or that box of Kleenex. To truly understand the plight of the young lovers and especially to get a sense of the tension behind the relationship between daughter and father, one must view "The Heiress" and "Washington Square" for the two films are lovely by themselves, but they certainly complement each other. You'll see what I mean after watching both ;) Enjoy!