The House of Mirth (2000)

A woman risks losing her chance of happiness with the only man she has ever loved.

Director:

Terence Davies

Writers:

Edith Wharton (novel), Terence Davies

Stars:

Gillian Anderson, Dan Aykroyd, Eleanor Bron

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 6 wins & 28 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gillian Anderson	...	Lily Bart
Dan Aykroyd	...	Augustus 'Gus' Trenor
Eleanor Bron	...	Mrs. Julia Peniston, Lily's Aunt
Terry Kinney	...	George Dorset
Anthony LaPaglia	...	Sim Rosedale (as Anthony Lapaglia)
Laura Linney	...	Bertha Dorset
Jodhi May	...	Grace Julia Stepney
Elizabeth McGovern	...	Mrs. Carry Fisher
Eric Stoltz	...	Lawrence Selden
Penny Downie	...	Judy Trenor
Pearce Quigley	...	Percy Gryce
Helen Coker	...	Evie Van Osburgh
Mary MacLeod	...	Mrs. Haffen (as Mary Macleod)
Paul Venables	...	Jack Stepney
Serena Gordon	...	Gwen Stepney

Storyline

Terence Davies' The House of Mirth is a tragic love story set against a background of wealth and social hypocrisy in turn of the century New York. Lily Bart is a ravishing socialite at the height of her success who quickly discovers the precariousness of her position when her beauty and charm start attracting unwelcome interest and jealousy. Torn between her heart and her head, Lily always seems to do the right thing at the wrong time. She seeks a wealthy husband and in trying to conform to social expectations, she misses her chance for real love with Lawrence Selden.

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Plot Keywords:

love | reputation | high society | money | period drama | 

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Taglines:

When a woman has the beauty men admire and women envy...it is wise to tread carefully.

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Genres:

Romance | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic material

Details

Official Sites:

Classic FM Official U.S. site presented by Sony Pictures Classics

Country:

UK USA France Germany

Language:

English French German

Release Date:

13 October 2000 (UK)

Also Known As:

The House of Mirth

Filming Locations:

The Sixty Steps, Glasgow, Scotland

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$48,770, 25 December 2000

Gross USA:

$3,043,284

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,164,404

Company Credits

Production Co:

Three Rivers Production, Granada Film Productions, Arts Council of England

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shooting angles for some outdoor scenes had to be changed because groups of The X-Files (1993) fans congregated in the background to see Gillian Anderson.

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Goofs

The film, which takes place during 1905-07, depicts several characters attending a performance of the opera "Cosi fan tutte" - but that opera was first performed in New York in 1922.

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Quotes

Lily Bart: Why is it when we meet we always play this elaborate game?

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Crazy Credits

Thanks to the staff of Kelvingrove Museum, the Lord Provost and staff at Glasgow City Chambers, residents of Kersland Street, all the staff at the Arthouse Hotel, Glasgow, and the Earls of Wemyss and March and Lady Wemyss.

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Connections

Referenced in At the Movies: Driven/The Golden Bowl/61*/One Night at McCool's/The Luzhin Defence (2001)

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Soundtracks

Rothko Chapel: Movement 4
Composed by Morton Feldman
Soprano: Melanie Pappenheim
Viola: Paul Silverthorne
Percussion: Steve Henderson
Courtesy of Universal Edition (London Ltd)

User Reviews

Stunning acting, stunning directing, stunning movie!

This is such an evocative and moving film. A must see.

In all honestly Davies direction does take some getting used to. No quick editing for him! Yes the pace was slow, it concentrated on the actors faces longer than usual. However I felt this was necessary in order to show the tension of the people and the lethal nature of the words spoken

The cast were wonderful. Stoltz was ideal as Seldon. He was cool and suave and attractive. I also enjoyed Laura Linney as Bertha -she really sold me on being a very nasty woman. The main star, Gillian Anderson, performed with grace, poise and charisma. This woman can convey emotions - just look into her eyes. She does not need to speak to tell you how Lily is feeling. She was mesmerizing. For example, when Lily was flirting with Seldon you somehow could feel her discontent.

Her descent into hell was heartbreaking. One scene, when Lily is at her lowest, will stay with me for a long time. The hopelessness was obvious, as if she was slowly dying. She was beyond caring for anything - and it showed in her eyes - dulled and weary.

Gillian Anderson brought Lily through a myriad of emotions. We loved her, pitied her, wanted to slap her! She was cynical and manipulative, a total flirt and then she fell. The gamut of emotions Anderson went through was incredible and to take the audience with her was a miracle.

This movie leaves an impact. It will not be a blockbuster (too intelligent and too wordy for that.) God forbid should we make an audience pay attention and think in a movie. The movie, unlike most period dramas, really brought home how nasty life was. Vicious and unforgiving to those who did not play the game.

If you can, go and see it. I promise it will be worth it.