The Age of Innocence, based on Edith Wharton’s 1920 novel of the same name, revolves around the lives of Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis), his fiancée May Welland (Winona Ryder) and her cousin the Countess Ellen Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer). Archer feels he is doing his duty by marrying May. When he meets the Countess, his life turns upside down. He realizes he was never in love with May and he’s willing to give up everything to be with the Countess. Hot stuff, let me tell you! There is a scene where Archer unbuttons the Countess’ glove and kisses her wrist, which is one of the most erotic things I’ve ever seen on screen.

The scenes between Day-Lewis and Pfeiffer are some of the most poignant I’ve seen, too. The ache these two characters feel for each other is palpable. Their relationship is one of heartbreak and I feel it every damn time I watch this movie. We all know Day-Lewis is one of the best actors, but Pfeiffer gets the short shrift when it comes to ability, but in The Age of Innocence she is everything. Oddly enough, it was Winona Ryder who was nominated for an Academy Award for her work in this movie when Pfeiffer was much more deserving.