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The House of Mirth | Year: 2000 Classification: Drama Directed: - Terence Davies Actors/Actresses: - Gillian Anderson - Dan Aykroyd - Anthony Lapaglia - Laura Linney - Eric Stoltz A classic tragedy. Anderson soars. "House of Mirth" is an absorbing character study of a proud woman's social downfall at her own hands, leading ultimately to her complete demise. The story is intricately told, accurately portraying the subtleties and treacheries of polite society in more stilted times. Director Terence Davies does an outstanding job with a limited budget in rendering the look and feel of the period. His character development is probing and filled with nuance, although the pacing is a bit slow and perhaps too inclusive. The story of Lily Bart (Gillian Anderson) is a classic tale of a fall from grace resulting from excessive pride and self indulgence. Davies draws us in to her world, laying bare both her noble and arrogant sides and giving us conflicted feelings about her eventual fate. On one hand, her adherence to her principles is admirable, yet on the other it is difficult to pity her when her decadence and inability to compromise almost assure her doom. I cannot rave enough about Gillian Anderson's performance in this film. Prior to this film I had little regard for her acting ability, assessing her to be a one dimensional character actor propelled to cult status by a popular TV show. Taking this part was a monumental risk for her, shedding the familiar bonds of her emotionally contained Scully persona to take on a character swirling in a volitile hurricane of emotion. She handles it magnificently. Her performance has great volume, reaching far, wide and deep into her character's psyche and bleeding it effusively onto the screen. After seeing this tour de force performance, I am left wondering why she wastes her time on television (I guess her multi million dollar "X Files" contract might have some bearing on it). The rest of the cast is barely adequate to the task of supporting Anderson. Dan Aykroyd is miscast for this part. He simply doesn't have the sinister side that the role requires. Eric Stolz' character is supposed to be very stolid, but Stolz so understates the character that he comes across as lifeless and wooden. Laura Linney is the best of the supporting cast portraying Bertha Dorset as charmingly diabolical and affected. This film is a wonderful throwback to the days when the story mattered. Its classical underpinnings give it a tragic richness you don't see much anymore. I rated it a 9/10. It requires a patient and intelligent viewer, but for those who appreciate powerful character studies it will be a treat. A Film Of Great Emotional Depth POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD. Director Terence Davies sensitively directs a fine group of actors who portray the characters in Edith Wharton's most famous novel. THE HOUSE OF MIRTH is an excellent art house presentation with the added allure of Gillian Anderson in the uncharacteristic role of Lily Bart-----a beautiful, vulnerable, but shortsighted woman who knows what she wants but is driven to pass up every opportunity for a "brilliant" marriage to a scion of New York society. Miss Anderson's personality is a bit too modern for the role of Lily, but she does a commendable job in the part. There is perhaps a bit too much of a feminist message in her comments on a woman's role in society. We are, after all, seeing the events of a century ago, and judging the past by present day standards always gives the sense of belatedly condemning history. But despite the cross-cutting of emotions, class and subtle sexism, the general theme of the story is that most people find out the truth about themselves and their milieu too late. Eric Stoltz is remarkably affecting as Lawrence Seldom, a man who understands Lily, the world, but not himself. The scene in the garden at the Trenor party where he and Lily almost declare their love for each other is one of the most memorable I've seen in years. Anthony LaPaglia as the social climbing businessman and Dan Aykroyd as the lustful Gus Trenor are right on the mark with their characters. Terry Kinney as the weak-willed George Dorset has an understated intensity that few actors could successfully convey. Laura Linney as his malicious and scheming wife Bertha turns in an excellent performance as the woman who dramatically delivers the coup de grace to Lily's social ambitions. The standout for me, though, is Jodhi May who plays Grace Stepney. Her face can show conflicting nuances of emotion that deeply affect the viewer. Where has this actress been hiding? There are scenes between her and other actors where she is saying one thing, yet conveying quite a different meaning to the audience through her facial expression that are positively heartbreaking. One scene in particular has her turning Lily down for a desperately needed cash advance in the full knowledge that her denial will end in tragedy for Lily. She denies her the money for supposedly moral reason, yet has tears of regret in her eyes because of the jealousy that is making her do it. Portraying a conflict of emotions in a single character is a rare talent and Miss May's ability is magnificent. Let's hope we see more of this very gifted actress and that her next role will be more prominent. Hers is a performance not to be missed in a film of great emotional depth. Jay F. Heartbreaking Couldn't help but feel the pain that the heroine went through. Wonderful film. I was surprised by Gillian Anderson's suberb acting because I had only seen her in the television show "X-Files". I would recommend this film to anyone who is patient to watch this film and who has an appreciating for tragic stories. 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