Bosley Crowther for The New York Times wrote that the film "crackles with allusive life and fire in its tender and agonized telling of an extraordinarily characterful tale" and added Wyler "has given this somewhat austere drama an absorbing intimacy and a warming illusion of nearness that it did not have on the stage. She gives Morris a gift of ruby buttons that she had bought for him in Paris. Washington Square is a 1997 American romantic drama film directed by Agnieszka Holland and starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Albert Finney, Ben Chaplin, Maggie Smith, and Judith Ivey. Sloper invites Catherine's widowed aunt, the incurably foolish Lavinia Penniman (Maggie Smith), to live at Washington Square as a chaperone for Catherine. He claims that he only left her behind because he could not bear to see her disinherited by her father and is quick to proclaim his love for her and his desire for her affections. The first half of the film follows the novel to a 'T', but then the film deviates into a more melodramatic (yet enjoyable) track. Her confidence is shaken when Lavinia tells Catherine she shouldn't have let Morris know she was rejecting her inheritance. The Heiress is a 1949 American romance film produced and directed by William Wyler and starring Olivia de Havilland as Catherine Sloper, Montgomery Clift as Morris Townsend, and Ralph Richardson as Dr. Sloper. Washington Square is a 1997 American romantic drama film directed by Agnieszka Holland and starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Albert Finney, Ben Chaplin, Maggie Smith, and Judith Ivey. James' heroine, whose young love is thw Aunt Lavinia favors the match regardless, being both romantic and pragmatic enough to view this as Catherine's chance at a happy married life. "De Havilland Excellent as 'Heiress'.". At a party celebrating her cousin Marian Almond's (Jennifer Garner) engagement, Catherine is introduced to a handsome, charming young man named Morris Townsend (Ben Chaplin). Aunt Lavinia arranges for Morris to visit Catherine. In this adaptation of the Henry James novel set in 19th-century New York City, a wealthy spinster with an overbearing father is pursued by a handsome fortune hunter who may be only after her money. Catherine's gregarious Aunt Lavinia Penniman (Miriam Hopkins) moves into the household after becoming widowed and attempts to prod Catherine into being more social and find a husband. She drags her luggage back upstairs and puts her belongings away. She isn't angry, but she has no interest in renewing their relationship, and tells him so, quietly and firmly. Before long, the susceptible Catherine falls headlong in love with him. Best Horror Movies. Kaczmarek composed the music for that tune as well as "Tu chiami una vita," with lyrics by Salvatore Quasimodo, and "L'Absence," with lyrics by Théophile Gautier. "[5], Edward Guthmann of the San Francisco Chronicle described the film as "meticulous," Jennifer Jason Leigh as "very good," and Albert Finney as "specific and effective." IF YOU'VE READ HENRY JAMES'S ""WASHington Square,'' or seen either William Wyler's 1949 movie ""The Heiress'' or the play by Ruth and Augustus Goetz, you may think a new version is unnecessary. Catherine and Morris make plans to elope with the help of Aunt Lavinia. Catherine has refused at least one respectable offer of marriage. We hope you’ve enjoyed these readings and screenings as much as we have! With quiet dignity, she replies that while she seldom thinks of Townsend, she can't make such a promise. Washington Square was turned into a play, “The Heiress,” and the play was turned into a film (1949) by William Wyler, with Olivia de Havilland, Errol Flynn’s frequent on screen partner, submerging her own beauty as Catherine; Montgomery Clift as Morris Townsend; and Ralph Richardson as Dr. Sloper. If this sounds like the plot of "Washington Square," opening today, there's a reason. Agnieszka Holland's new movie "Washington Square'' makes of this situation a sad story about a young woman named Catherine (Jennifer Jason Leigh), who spends much of her life seeking the love of two men who do not deserve it. 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 … Years pass. Written by Ruth and Augustus Goetz, adapted from their 1947 play The Heiress. The doctor tells the young couple he believes Morris is attempting to dupe plain, gullible Catherine. She earns $10,000 annually from her mother's estate, and will inherit considerably more when her father dies. The lyrics for "The Tale of the String" were written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Sloper misunderstands her and alters his will, adding a codicil deploring his daughter's ongoing interest in unscrupulous young men and leaving most of his $300,000 fortune to charity. "[4], In Variety, Todd McCarthy wrote "Washington Square emerges with only a portion of its force and complexity intact in this new screen version. Considers his daughter to Europe for an extended time to separate them Catherine responds. `` Ms. Holland gives this story compelling intimacy and a brusque, energetic pace... Maggie steals. 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