I never did make a category just for “super beautiful but super depressing” movies (as I considered when reviewing The Portrait of a Lady), but if I had, The House of Mirth (2000) would be next on the list. Sure, the Edith Wharton novel wasn’t a light romp by any means, but somehow onscreen, the story lingers in an even more wistful and downbeat fashion.
And while the costumes by designer Monica Howe are gorgeous, I unfortunately couldn’t get enough high-quality screencaps to prove it. Suffice to say Gillian Anderson is stunningly attired as 1900s socialite-on-the-hunt Lily Bart. The very first scenes frame the main character in silhouette as she waits for a train. The big hat, the hourglass body, the trumpet skirt, she’s the very picture of high-society elegance.
At a friend’s country estate, Lily meets with Lawrence Selden (Eric Stoltz), a sometime suitor who’s not rich enough to marry her.
This daytime suit is so perfectly kitted out with trims and accessories — tastefully, not too extravagant, just fashionable restraint.
This image of Selden and Lily doesn’t show the accurate color of her suit — it’s definitely green in the version I watched.
The suit appears green on display as well:
One beautifully dramatic scene is when Lily goes to the opera with her friend’s husband, Gus Trenor, who has been giving her investment advice. Her bright red dress against a sea of black suits and white gowns announces to the world that she’s a fallen woman, even though she isn’t and won’t, even though that is Trenor’s intent. In this world, the appearance and rumor are enough to doom Lily.
Still, it’s a beautiful gown and the “look at me” red continues to her red feather fan. Everyone at the opera sees her sitting in the box with Trenor (Dan Aykroyd).
Also, her hair is perfect, right out of a Gibson Girl drawing.
It’s Selden who she’s best suited with, they both know it, but they can’t make it happen. Another dramatic dress for another dramatic scene.
You’re just going to have to watch the movie for this dress! It’s really amazing, but I couldn’t get screencaps, and the lighting of the scene didn’t help in that regard.
The rest of the movie is filled with societal machinations that eventually lead to Lily’s demise. The film’s also filled with a lot of those classic “Edwardian whites” — delicate blouses, pintucked within an inch of their lives and dripping with lace. Lily wears a series of these blouses:
Always lovely 1900s hair:
Along with the white blouses, she has full white outfits like this coat:
Plus this white gown covered in lace:
Have you watched The House of Mirth just for the costumes?
Find this frock flick at:
I’ve never seen it. But I LOVE Eric Stoltz. Since it’s so depressing, maybe watching on mute is the way to go. I adore Edwardian fashion.
I watched it once. NEVER AGAIN. Was it beautiful to look at? Absolutely. Gillian Anderson was stunning and she was terrific in the role. But as you said, Trystan, it was super depressing. Oh well, that’s Edith Wharton for you. :)
Being a coward, I shall relish these screenshots and skip the film: life is to short to endure the miseries of past ages by proxy.
I <3 Edwardian fashion, one of my favorite eras, perhaps watch it on mute?
Probably one of my favorite adaptations of all time. It’s beautiful, extremely well-acted (if not cast – Dan Aykroyd is a bit odd for me), and Gillian Anderson absolutely devastated me. The costumes are amazing. A real shame there aren’t higher quality caps!
I’m sure the movie is gorgeous, but I also know the story is the opposite of mirthful. I need to be in a much better headspace before I consider watching.
I had the DVD but finally donated it because I couldn’t watch it again ,it is too sad…but it’s beautiful and well-acted. Lily was in the worst position a woman could be…unmarried and poor but with wealthy friends. When she had chances to marry rich men she couldn’t bring herself to accept . It is the most depressing of Whartons works to me.
I have seen it more than once, and I ADORE the costuming. Apparently, some of the pieces are actual clothing and corsetry of the period, which Gillian Anderson complained about because her corsets were laced too tight. This is how period dramas should be.
A minor note: one of the characters in the novel is named Carrie Fisher. Which makes my mental image of her scenes when I’m reading the book a bit bizarre! However, this doesn’t happen often, as the novel is so damn depressing I rarely re-read it, and I always want to smack Lily Bart for being such an idiot.