Edith Wharton's wonderful novel about a woman striving for financial and intellectual independence in a conservative, upper-crust society is faithfully brought to the screen here by Terence Davies. Too faithfully, in fact: Davies directs at such a slow pace that much of the plot and characters seem rather lifeless. Gillian Anderson, from TV's The X-Files, has a good shot at playing the heroine, though in the end she lacks the power required. Despite the budget limitations (Glasgow standing for turn-of-the-century New York, for example), the film's look is impressive.

In early 20th century New York City, an impoverished socialite desperately seeks a suitable husband as she gradually finds herself betrayed by her friends and exiled from high society.