House Of Mirth

saw this at the cinema in 2000.a story of honour,love(or lack of it)manners,morality and mortality.a lush saga of one womans refusal to marry for not money,but love.the nature of man(and woman)and how standing in the communiity is paramount for the betterment of people but with scant regard for the heart and soul of a person.a tragic tale of unrequited love,the shame of loss of status and its many treasures.a real gem,uplifting ? no but a thought provoking story that even now resonates.bleak but in the end,compelling and moral.

Set against a backdrop of Edwardian New York society with fabulous shots of town and country. The anti-heroine, Lily, sows the seeds of her own downfall through her rebellious nature and naievety in reading the intentions of her male followers. Insightful study of the unforgiving nature of 'high-society' towards those who fall foul of it's rigid rules. Not much 'mirth' here but plenty for reflection. This is the third time I have watched this film and it continues to improve with familiarity