Fluentiama Perfect cast and a good story

Listonixio Fresh and Exciting

Console best movie i've ever seen.

Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

dromasca The local cinematheque screened a few weeks ago the 2000 adaptation of Edit Wharton's now classic novel The House of Mirth, whose first screen adaptation to screen dates back from 1918.The House of Mirth is a combination of a social and personal drama the story of the descent of a young woman from high class into poverty, of the price to be paid for keeping the dignity in a society that seems to define rigidly the place and track in life of each human being according to their birth, their place in the social hierarchy, their sex, and their material fortune. The American society at the beginning of the 20th century does not seem to resemble too much to the land of all opportunities described in many other literary or cinematographic works. Lily Bart, the apparently apparently frivolous character who stays in the center of the action is smart and beautiful, apparently high in the social hierarchy but too poor to be allowed to make her own choices and play a different role than the one of the well-married girl, or of the woman supported by rich and powerful men. Her refuse to surrender to the social pressure ends in catastrophic results.12 years only after it was made Terence Davies' film looks much older than it's age. A team of TV stars from the 80s (Eric Stolz), 90s (Gilian Anderson) and 2000s (Anthony LaPaglia) do more than a decent job, but I felt like the adaptation to screen borrowed some of the stiffness of the social environment described in the story. More passion, more nuances in the relationship between the characters would have made this film more interesting. Gilian Anderson is a great actress but her discrete acting seems pushed one step too far, her breaking down comes too late to give meaning to her self-sacrifice. This too academic version to screen is interesting mostly for the fans of the social historical American dramas. Which is kind of a paradox as the novel was at its time an exercise in contemporary prose. But this is also history.

Amy Adler Lily Bart (Gillian Anderson) lives in Manhattan at the turn of the 20th century. From a fine old family, she nevertheless has very little money. The big bucks, instead, belong to Lily's aunt and Lily makes her home with this lady. It is assumed that when the aunt passes away, Lily will inherit. Meanwhile, Lily hobnobs with the cream of society, a mostly married circle of friends that includes Mrs. Bertha Dorset (Laura Linney) and her husband, single gentleman Lawrence Selden (Eric Stolz), and Gus Trenor (Dan Ackroyd) and his wife. Naturally, our Lil must keep herself looking smart, so her aunt complains about clothing bills, and Miss Bart secretly plays cards for money. This last would upset her aunt, if she knew, so Lily tries to cover her tracks, as she does get an allowance. But, all too soon, her debts are high and she must set her cap on making a rich marriage, even though she may be harboring an affection for Mr. Selden. Its all for naught, you see, because Selden is not rich, either, but a lawyer climbing the ranks. A good match would be Percy Gryce, as far as money is concerned, but he is a bit priggish. When Lily flirts with him at a party, she sleeps late the next day and misses church. Away goes Mr. Gryce, only to marry another wealthy lady. Another rich gentleman, Sim Rosedale (Anthony LaPaglia) likes Lily and being Jewish, needs an blueblood wife to advance in society. However, since her heart is not in it, she turns him down. Learning of her desperation, Lily's friend, Mr. Trenor, says he will invest some of her money to increase her spending power. Too late, Lily discovers that he expects romantic favors and she refuses him. Bertha becomes jealous of Lily, too, so the circle of friends cast Lily from the group. Hoping for her aunt's money, Lily is stunned to learn she is mostly cut of of the will. What will she do to survive? This is a classic tale by Edith Wharton, one of America's best writers ever. Wharton came from the high society of old money New York and she knew it through and through. Lily is a most tragic figure in that she is beautiful, witty, and charming but that is not enough without money. Alas, she also throws away her chances for stability at every turn. Anderson gives a sensitive and wistful performances as Lily while Linney, Ackroyd, Stolz, LaPaglia, and all of the others do great work, too. The costumes and sets are to die for while the direction has a careful, studied touch that aids the tale. No, don't watch this one if you are not having a mirthful week. But, if you want a good cry or are looking for a film of substance, choose House of Mirth.

dan.adams If ever there was a flick calculated to annoy and depress,this is it.Short on dialogue and long on "funereal" settings,House of Mirth is anything but. Not that I expected a cackle-fest! Best acting can be blamed on Dan Ackroyd though.I thought things were warming up when he appeared.No such luck. I really would have liked the pretentious heroine to have become,a scheming blackmailer,rich,beyond her wildest dreams and the toast of New York!But it was not to be.She was,in her own word,useless.Without any ability to marshal resources offered by friends,this lass's fate was sealed. To all 21st century young ladies who now think a "kick*ss" attitude will get them through life-beware,take heed of Lillie's fate.

blowfly13 Such a great book, such a horrible movie. This one is bad on the scale of the badness of the Keira Knightly in the latest Pride and Prejudice, and for the same reason - terrible casting. Gillian Anderson plays Lily exactly wrong in every way. Lily is a very light, self-contained character. Anderson plays her in this very heavy, overly enunciated, slow-speaking way that irritates me with every sentence. Why does she TALK like that? Every sentence takes twice as long as it should. And the heavy sobbing and yelling at the end - good Lord! Did she even READ the book? Lily would never have done that. Lily was like a butterfly; Anderson is like an elephant.Lawrence Seldon was similarly miscast; I would never have picked Eric Stoltz. Not that Seldon was a somewhat deep character - Stoltz has nothing to him. He's a total lightweight. And Dan Ackroyd! Where did HE come from? The aunt - another one who talks in this totally unnatural, stilted way. Ugh, I barely sat through it the first time in the theater, and just now on free cable I couldn't stand more than five minutes. Read the book. It's light years better than this mess. I don't know who cast this movie, but s/he should be fired.