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The House of Mirth

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United Kingdom, United States, France · 2000
Rated PG · 2h 20m
Director Terence Davies
Starring Gillian Anderson, Dan Aykroyd, Eleanor Bron, Terry Kinney
Genre Drama, Romance

Lily is a ravishing socialite who quickly discovers the precariousness of her position when her beauty and charm start attracting unwelcome interest and jealousy. She seeks a wealthy husband and, in trying to conform to social expectations, she misses her chance for real love.

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What are critics saying?

90

Dallas Observer by Bill Gallo

Davies has nailed Wharton's bitter satire of the flights and follies of New York society in the Gilded Age, and leading lady Gillian Anderson shows dazzling range in her portrayal of the book's doomed heroine.

90

Village Voice by J. Hoberman

Leisurely yet streamlined film, brilliantly adapted by British filmmaker Terence Davies from Edith Wharton's most powerful novel.

88

Boston Globe by Jay Carr

There was little mirth or innocence in the world that Wharton was able to write her way out of (she was much happier living in Paris), and Davies and his leading lady lift the silks to reveal it as the minefield it was.

80

TV Guide Magazine by Ken Fox

With consummate grace and exceptional style, Terence Davies transformed Edith Wharton's caustic tragedy of manners into a somber, languid dream.

100

Rolling Stone by Peter Travers

The House of Mirth is not one of those teacup and doily movies; it's harsh and disturbing. Davies does superlatively right by Wharton. There's blood on the walls.

91

Portland Oregonian by Shawn Levy

Anderson, possessed of an eerily Edwardian aspect, is superb, luminous and knowing and convincingly proud and desperate as the situation requires.

90

Salon by Stephanie Zacharek

Anderson's Lily is the kind of heroine who earns our protectiveness by never begging for it; it's an astonishing performance.

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