Edith Wharton

The House of Mirth Illustrated Edith Wharton

The House of Mirth is a 2000 drama film written and directed by Terence Davies. An adaptation of Edith Wharton's 1905 novel The House of Mirth, the film stars Gillian Anderson. Lily Bart is a beautiful socialite accustomed to comfort and luxury. Along with her younger cousin, Grace Ste pony, she lives with her wealthy aunt, Julia Pension. Lily genuinely admires lawyer Lawrence Selden, but he is too poor for her to seriously consider marrying. Her choices are limited to coarse, vulgar Simon Rosedale, a rising financier, and wealthy but dull Percy Greece. Lily's friend Judy Tenor urges her to pursue Greece. Lily is hurt, but keeps the letters secret. Finding the partially-burnt letters in his fireplace and sensing her intentions, Selden rushes to her boarding room. There, at her deathbed, holding her hand, he weeps, declaring his love for her.