Age of Innocence, The

Martin Scorsese's well-known attention to detail is exemplified in this story of upper crust social mores and hypocrisy set in New York during the 1870's. Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is brought to life by a superb cast.  Daniel Day-Lewis is Newland Archer, a lawyer ensconced in the traditions of society and betrothed to May Welland (Winona Ryder), who has been raised to be the perfect society wife. Archer's carefully ordered world is thrown into chaos when he meets May's unconventional cousin, Ellen Olenska, (Michelle Pfeiffer) who arrives in New York after a messy divorce. Archer and Countess Olenska fall in love, and when his peers' derision gets the best of him, Archer realizes he must make a choice between the two women. Eighteen months of research and a talented team of designers and specialists, including a food presentation expert and an etiquette consultant, worked with Scorsese to re-create the opulent world of high society. The film received a number of Oscar® nominations and Gabriella Pescucci won for Best Costume Design.