a many have point out and it wouldn not seem a though scorsese would be interested in an 19th century period piece . yet and i see this film a very similar to goodfellas . each catalogue the life of people who live by a very strict code of conduct . each have their particular sense of honor and loyalty . each have method of deal with those who step outside the box . in goodfellas it be guns and fist ( or kitchen knife ) while in the age of innocence it be gossip and dinner invitation . both film be rich and elaborate representation of a specific way of life . scorsese be a filmmaker completely in control of his craft . every aspect of this film add an integral part to it . nothing be incidental or superfluous . the production design in this film be as good a it get . there be so much detail in every scene . the house these people live in a found on the principle of appearance and much like their life . everything in them be design to disguise or distort the truth . i love that fact that the wall be cover and floor to ceiling and with picture . these people strive to be live portrait and perfect in every visible detail . the music and sound be perfectly suit . there be a bitter loveliness to the score . the classical movement that scorsese us be lovely and meaningful . the acting be fantastic . daniel day lewis be one of the great current actor . he give a very deep and complete performance . i could feel his despair and claustrophobia . michelle pieffer be very ironic and cynical . she and like lewis character and be a real be trap in a world of contrived illusion . ryder performance be one of the key performance in the film . she be sly and cunning and completely in control of her surroundings . yet she be able to mask her devilish manipulation a a sweet and shy exterior . i love the narration of the film . it would not have make sense in this film for one of the main character to narrate and a in goodfellas . the world in this film be determine by what other people think and say . so it be apropos to have a exterior commentator . woodward do fine work a the cynical and satirical commentator and expose the rotten underbelly of this world and and do it with wily delight . the cinematography be some of the best i have ever see . scorsese never move his camera without purpose . each shot be execute for the maximum emotional and cognitive effect . the scene be edit masterfully . many time he will cut away right in the middle of a shot to an image that perfectly metaphors the mood and context of the scene . this be one of the most tightly compose film of scorsese i have see . i need to watch this film more time . it be very complex . it be a great film .