Washington Square (1997)
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82% of critics liked it
(28 reviews) -
58% of users liked it
(2,025 ratings)
This film is the second effort to bring to the screen the 1880 Henry James novel of the same title (the first was The Heiress in 1949). Set in 1850 among the aristocracy of New York, Washington Square examines the inhibitions of Catherine Sloper (Jennifer Jason Leigh), the only child of wealthy Dr.… More This film is the second effort to bring to the screen the 1880 Henry James novel of the same title (the first was The Heiress in 1949). Set in 1850 among the aristocracy of New York, Washington Square examines the inhibitions of Catherine Sloper (Jennifer Jason Leigh), the only child of wealthy Dr. Austin Sloper (Albert Finney). Catherine is clumsy and shy and something of an embarrassment to her high-class father. Dr. Sloper still unconsciously resents the child because her birth caused the death of his wife. He also disapproves of Catherine's attraction to Morris Townsend (Ben Chaplin), warning her that the handsome young man is after her money. He takes Catherine to Europe and warns her to break off her relationship with Morris, but she defies him. Townsend proposes, and Catherine accepts despite her father's threats to disinherit her if she marries him. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi
- Directed By
- Agnieszka Holland
- Written By
- Carol Doyle
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
PG,
- In Theaters
- Oct 5, 1997 Wide
- On DVD
- Sep 3, 2002
Critic Reviews
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David Sterritt, Christian Science Monitor
Jennifer Jason Leigh shows a surprising flair for modest, introspective moods in Agnieszka Holland's deftly directed adaptation of Henry James's quietly compassionate novel.
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Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
Washington Square comes closer than did The Heiress to what James originally wrote: an elegy to a woman whom few people notice and no one loves.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Registers strongly on the emotions as a poignant and powerful meditation upon loss.
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Karina Montgomery, Cinerina
Guys, go see this movie (the first half) to find out how to treat a lady. My friend wanted to borrow my notebook and make notes for himself.
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Bob Satuloff, Film Journal International
Painstakingly produced, dramatically compelling, and acted with skill and intensity.
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Cast
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Jennifer Jason Leigh
as Catherine Sloper
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Albert Finney
as Dr. Austin Sloper
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Ben Chaplin
as Morris Townsend
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Maggie Smith
as Aunt Lavinia Penniman
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Judith Ivey
as Mrs. Elizabeth Almond
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Betsy Brantley
as Mrs. Montgomery
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Jennifer Garner
as Marian Almond
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Peter Maloney
as Jacob Webber/Notary
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Robert Stanton
as Arthur Townsend
