Washington Square

Dir. Agnieszka Holland. 1997, 116 mins. United States. Archival 35mm print. With Jennifer Jason Leigh, Albert Finney, Ben Chaplin, Maggie Smith, Judith Ivey. Holland’s earthy, deeply felt adaptation of Henry James’s 1880 novel (which had been famously adapted by William Wyler into the 1949 film The Heiress) is a faithful evocation of James’s prose, as well as the time, place, mood, and feeling of its New York setting, though shot in Baltimore (where she would later shoot episodes of The Wire). Exquisitely shot and acted, Washington Square casts a marvelously unsentimental Leigh as Catherine, whose seemingly inevitable journey into spinsterhood is given relief by the pursuit of the dashing Morris Townsend (Chaplin), who may or may not be interested more in her dowry. The film is shot through with Jamesian ambiguity as well as Holland’s contemporary feminist outlook. 

Tickets: $15 / $11 senior and students / $9 youth (ages 3–17) / discounted for MoMI members ($7–$11). There is a $1.50 transaction fee per ticket for all online purchases. The cost of admission may be applied toward a same-day purchase of a membership. 

Order tickets. Please pick up tickets at the Museum’s admissions desk upon arrival. All seating is general admission.