The Heiress
(1949)
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In 1840's New York Catherine lives with her father, Dr. Sloper, a physician. Her mother died some years before, and Dr. Sloper still idolizes her. He never misses an opportunity to compare his daughter to her - a comparison the daughter cannot win. When Morris Townsend, a handsome but penniless young man, comes along and woos and wins his daughter's heart, Dr. Sloper is sure that he is only after her considerable inheritance, and opposes their marriage. Dr. Sloper takes his daughter to Europe in hopes she will forget Morris, but she does not. After Catherine returns to New York, the young lovers plan to elope. Dr. Sloper threatens to disinherit his daughter. Will this dissuade Morris? |
This immaculately cast and brilliantly directed movie was adapted from Henry James's novel Washington Square. Olivia de Havilland quite rightly won her second Academy Award as the plain spinster seeking affection from fortune hunter Montgomery Clift. Clift also gives a finely controlled performance of great subtlety and, though both he and de Havilland are too good-looking for their roles, it is this quintessential Hollywood factor that keeps you riveted to the screen. As de Havilland's autocratic father, Ralph Richardson delivers arguably his finest screen work, and these flawless casting choices contribute to what is surely the most satisfying screen adaptation of James's work. Resourceful director William Wyler lets the period detail work for the characters rather than get in the way, and both art direction and costume design won Oscars, as did the haunting score. Agnieszka Holland's Washington Square, with Jennifer Jason Leigh and Albert Finney, pales by comparison with this screen classic.
Halliwell's Film Guide
Richly-decorated and generally pleasing version of a stage success based on a Henry James story set in the 1890s.