Washington Square
Directed by Agnieszka Holland.
Starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ben Chaplin, Albert Finney, Maggie Smith.
The latest in a string of Henry James adaptations is undoubtably one of the best. With a solid cast comprising of costume drama regulars, renowned stage actors and a few new to this genre, it faithfully recreates the tragedy of the original story.
Jennifer Jason Leigh plays the part of a metamorphosing Catherine brilliantly, and is ably supported by Maggie Smith, Albert Finney and Ben Chaplin, though Leigh’s performance really does outshine any of the others.
The producers made a great effort to ensure that everything was authentic, right down to having the forks facing downwards on the dining table as was the custom of the times. This care makes the finished product quite convincing and is a good example of what the world of upper class Eastern America looked like in the mid nineteenth century.
Catherine is an only child and has been brought up in the wealthy house owned by her doctor father in Washington Square, New York. As her mother died at her birth, she is tended to by her well meaning but meddling widowed aunt (Smith). Her father (Finney) has never forgiven his only child for taking the life of his wife and makes fun of her clumsy signs of affection. Catherine grows up to be a lonely and shy young woman lacking in most social graces who is considered a little dense by most of those around her.
Enter Maurice (Chaplin). He is handsome, well travelled and falls in love with Catherine, who falls as deeply in love with him. His problem is that he does not have a profession or any wealth. Thus he is discounted straight away by Catherine’s father, for he does not want a pariah living off his wealth when he is dead. In the ongoing battles that ensue between Catherine and her father over Maurice and whether or not she can marry him, Catherine goes from being the shy girl who worships her father to someone who knows her own mind and who stoically endures the scorn he heaps upon her.
While the outcome of such a quagmire is certainly not a happy one, it is somewhat closer to reality. This comes as something of a relief as the option of a sugary ending would have been all too easy even if it did mean deviating from the original text. The passions felt by the characters are enhanced by a soundtrack written by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek which adds the finishing touch to a beautifully made film. Overall, the combination of a good story, well-developed central characters and a sumptuous setting make this a treat for any fan of this genre.
Bronwyn Davis
