The Age of Innocence (1993) - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (Columbia Classics Vol. 5)

Just when you think you have a handle on the kind of output a filmmaker seems to thrive in, they go and pull the rug out from under you. After crafting one of the greatest crime thrillers ever made followed by one of the best horror/thrillers ever made, Martin Scorsese completely switched gears for the quiet but-no-less-thrilling chamber room drama The Age of Innocence. With an all-star cast, the film’s thrills hinge on the kind of conversations where the true intention is never spoken aloud but lurks in the shadows of whispers and innuendo. 

Our story opens with the debonair Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis) attending a play with the rest of New York’s high society elites. Sneaking away to visit his fiance May Welland (Winona Ryder), he reconnects with May’s cousin and old childhood friend Countess Ellen Olenska (Michele Pfeiffer). Ellen’s life is one of scandal after Marrying a foreigner her family didn’t approve of, she’s now seeking a divorce potentially exposing additional scandal of suing for divorce. As Newland works as her lawyer in the matter, the embers of their old forgotten passions reignite. 

Rewatching The Age of Innocence, I’m reminded of my first viewing and how much of a snobby brat I used to be. The first time I saw this at all of eleven or twelve years old, I hated it. I thought it was too talky and too boring and nothing happened. I thought that way because I’d just seen early Scorsese films like Taxi Driver, and had just dug my way through Goodfellas and Cape Fear. I don’t remember what I expected to see when we turned on The Age of Innocence but it wasn’t a costume drama. Maybe because it had Daniel Day-Lewis I thought he’d grab a long rifle and just run around in the woods, maybe? Regardless, it was many years before I gave this film a second chance, and I’m forever grateful that I did. 

Now, as a mature (relatively) forty-something, I have a lot of love and respect for what Scorsese accomplished with this film. I still think it’s overly talky. I can’t hide that irritation. Part of the issue is the role of the narrator (Joanne Woodward) within the context of the film. While character narration has been used countless times in Scorsese films as a sort of confessional voice to further the narrative, in this film it’s used more as a frequent omniscient presence to explain the cultural nuances of every event - even if it’s not necessary. For me, what holds this film back is that strange distrust that a halfway intelligent audience might not get the nuances of high society machinations and why certain things might be scandalous. We got it. We get all of that. We don't need to be frequently told the "why" of the scandal. 

While I may see the narration as a drawback, the overall film is a wonderful experience. Beautifully captured, the film transports you to another time visually and emotionally. The costuming is impeccable, the set design is marvelous. Then we have some of the best performances coming from Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Winona Ryder. Shockingly only Ryder was blessed with an Oscar Nomination for Best Supporting Actress and deservedly so! For much of the film she comes off as this meek passive presence, but she has an incredible third-act turn that brings her entire performance into focus. As for Daniel Day-Lewis, I guess the Acadamy already got so tired from nominating him that year for his blistering performance for In the Name of the Father that they needed to give some other guys a shot. As for Pfeiffer, I guess since Holly Hunter had the costume drama nomination locked and won for The Piano the Academy was trying to save Pfeiffer the embarrassment of another loss. 

As a Scorsese film I don’t often revisit, I’m always pleased to see it improve in my estimation every time I do come back to it. I love how no matter the genre or type of film, Scorsese has this unique ability to dig into the world, set the stage for an incredible drama, and bring the audience along for the journey. While the film can be overly talky, it can also be thrilling to see these conversations unfold and the game of cultural chess being played behind every word. Scorsese would do more costume dramas over the next thirty years, but this one remains an impressive outing. 

Vital Disc Stats: The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray 
The Age of Innocence joins the age of 2160p with its first 4K UHD + Blu-ray release as part of Sony’s Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Collection Vol. 5. A two-disc release the 4K is pressed on a Region Free BD100 disc with a Region Free BD50 serving the 1080p edition and bonus features. The discs are housed in a standard two-disc black case with exclusive slipcover. The discs load to a static image main menu with standard navigation options.

Nominated for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration and Best Costume Design, The Age of Innocence certainly makes for a dynamic visual presence on 2160p Dolby Vision. Immediately the film looks splendid and ornate with fine clean lines allowing for sharp clear details to come into focus. Facial features, makeup work, and the impeccable work that went into creating the time period is all on display. Film grain is fine and well resolved without ever looking intrusive or out of place. Dolby Vision HDR works miracles with the film’s color schemes. Given the era, there are a number of scenes with dark black and brown interiors, but the image never falters. Details remain clear while black levels are rich and inky with beautiful shadows for an impressive three-dimensional appearance. Outdoor scenes are bright, bold, and fully colorful letting primaries have their time in the sun. Skin tones are healthy and human without being heavily peached or pinked out. White dress shirts and gowns are brilliantly crisp without blooming. Front to back a gorgeous transfer.

On the audio front the film comes with an excellent Dolby Atmos mix, a DTS-HD MA 5.1, and 2.0 surround. Truthfully it’s a dealer’s choice selection as all three tracks are marvelous. The 5.1 track does sound to be the same as the one Criterion used for their 2018 Blu-ray edition and it’s excellent. But speaking of the Atmos, I was very impressed with how this film’s soundscape was transported to the format. A talky film, it finds great purpose in expanding various audio elements through the side, rear, and height channels. The scenes at the playhouse that open each act of the story are prime examples of how well this mix is utilized. Larger street scenes are equally immersive. And the larger the dinner sequence, the more active and impressively engaging the track becomes. But then flipping over to the 2.0 surround mix, I was stuck at the intimacy of it. While not as expansive as the 5.1 or Atmos, there’s a more pronounced feeling of closeness that some fans may find more intimate and enjoyable. As I said, can’t go wrong with any of these options. 

As for the extra features, this is where this release is something of a bust. Criterion’s disc had a wonderful selection that while perhaps not expansive at least felt well-rounded and complete. Sony’s disc scarcely offers an hour of content. It’s not bad material, it’s all interesting, but nothing quite like Criterions’ selection. 

• Interview with Martin Scorsese 
• Interview with Jay Cocks 
• Original 1993 EPK 
• Moments from the Set: B-Roll 
• Theatrical Trailer

I wouldn’t personally argue that The Age of Innocence is among the best of the best in Martin Scorsese’s long catalog of films. He made better films before and after. With that, I will say this is an impressively lavish production with an intricate story played out by standout performances from Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, and Michelle Pfeiffer. It’s not a film I come back to often but I’m always pleased when I see it again. On 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Sony gives fans a reason to check out the film all over again with an excellent Dolby Vision transfer and three exceptional audio options. Bonus features are a little of a letdown, so keep that in mind. At the end of the day, it’s a Highly Recommended addition to this latest volume of Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD discs.