A stylish adaptation of the stage play based on Henry James novel Washington Square from legendary Hollywood Golden Age director William Wyler (Ben Hur, The Best Years of Our Lives), The Heiress is a claustrophobic melodrama of heartbreak and abuse.
Wealth and a classy Washington Square address in 19th century New York means little to the extremely shy, socially awkward and plain Catherine Sloper (Olivia de Havilland – Gone With the Wind, My Cousin Rachel). Preferring needlework to company, she is of great concern to her widowed father, the emotionally abusive surgeon Dr Austin Sloper (Ralph Richardson – The Fallen Idol, Greystoke). When she meets the handsome Morris Townsend (Montgomery Clift – From Here to Eternity, A Place in the Sun), intentions are unclear as to whether his feelings for Catherine are honourable or motivated by future wealth.
It’s de Havilland’s film (she won her second Oscar for best actress) – a transformative, desperate to please Catherine starved of love by her father into a detached woman of spine-chilling coldness. It’s a sober adaptation with a surprising level of ambiguity of motive.
Nominated for 8 Oscars in 1950 including best film, director, supporting actor (Richardson), won 4 including best actress and costume design (black and white).
Rating: 58%
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