Taglines: When a woman has the beauty men admire and women envy… it is wise to tread carefully.
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, Lilly 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.
The House of Mirth is a 2000 drama film written and directed by Terence Davies. An adaptation of Edith Wharton’s 1905 novel The House of Mirth, the film stars Gillian Anderson. It is an international co-production between the United Kingdom, Germany, and United States. The film has an 81% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which called it “chilling and relevant” in its critical consensus.
The House of Mirth premiered at the New York Film Festival on 23 September 2000. Sony Pictures Classics released it in the US on 22 December 2000. There, it grossed $48,770 in its opening weekend and $3 million in total. The worldwide total is $5.1 million.
About the Story
Lily Bart is a beautiful socialite accustomed to comfort and luxury. Along with her younger cousin, Grace Stepney, she lives with her wealthy aunt, Julia Peniston. Through a series of unfortunate misunderstandings, she learns of the bitter consequences for a single woman without wealth, living in an uncaring society.
Lily genuinely admires lawyer Lawrence Selden, but he is too poor for her to seriously consider marrying. Her choices are limited to coarse, vulgar Simon Rosedale, a rising financier, and wealthy but dull Percy Gryce. Lily’s friend Judy Trenor urges her to pursue Gryce. But Lily can’t help preferring Selden.
During a country weekend, they take a long walk and share an innocent kiss. Gryce sees them and leaves abruptly. Fearful for her future, a dejected Lily pours out her troubles to Judy’s husband, Gus Trenor. He leads her to believe he will help her earn money through investment. Later, Lily is forced to purchase scandalous letters written by Bertha Dorset revealing that Selden was her lover. Lily is hurt, but keeps the letters secret.
At a wedding, Lily receives a $5,000 check from Gus Trenor, who claims to have reinvested another $4,000. Later, he invites Lily to the opera, where she also encounters Lawrence Selden and Simon Rosedale. While Lily is hoping to hear from Lawrence Selden, Simon Rosedale visits, proposing to her as if suggesting a corporate merger. His wealth could free Lily, yet she politely rejects his flattering but cold blooded proposal. Bertha Dorset invites Lily to the Dorsets’ yacht for a European cruise. Lily accepts, desperate to escape the whispers and criticism in New York.
In Monte Carlo, Mrs. Carry Fisher meets with Selden, who has arrived from London. They are both worried about Lily, travelling on the Dorset’s yacht. Lily and George Dorset converse on deck while a young man reads French poetry to Bertha. That evening, Lily and George look for them in vain. Next morning, George enters Lily’s cabin, accusing her of knowing more about Bertha’s indiscretions. Lily pleads ignorance of her behavior. But when Bertha returns, Lily confronts her and Bertha shockingly accuses Lily of adultery with George.
Back in New York, Aunt Julia has died, leaving Lily only a fraction of her vast fortune in favour of Cousin Grace. Now homeless and adrift, Lily is invited by Carry Fisher to stay with her and the Gormers for the summer. Carry believes Lily’s two possibilities for marriage are George Dorset and Simon Rosedale. George asks Lily for the truth about his wife Bertha’s infidelities, but she denies any knowledge. In her growing desperation she approaches Simon Rosedale. He has found out about Bertha’s letters and advises Lily to use them against Bertha, arguing that it will restore her social standing. He offers to marry Lily once Bertha is disgraced, but Lily refuses.
The House of Mirth (2000)
Directed by: Terence Davies
Starring: Gillian Anderson, Dan Aykroyd, Terry Kinney, Anthony LaPaglia, Laura Linney, Elizabeth McGovern, Eric Stoltz, Penny Downie, Helen Coker, Serena Gordon
Screenplay by: Terence Davies
Production Design by: Don Taylor
Cinematography by: Remi Adefarasin
Film Editing by: Michael Parker
Costume Design by: Monica Howe
Set Decoration by: John Bush
Art Direction by: Diane Dancklefsen
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic material.
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Classics
Release Date: September 23, 2000
Views: 223
