Washington Square

Year: 1997

Runtime: 115 mins

Language: English

Director: Agnieszka Holland

RomanceDrama

In 1870s New York, spinster heiress Catherine Sloper, under the watchful eye of her controlling father, is pursued by the much younger, impoverished Morris Townsend. As he courts her, Catherine must decide whether to cling to her father's wealth and a solitary life or risk marriage to a man whose motives may be driven by her inheritance.

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Timeline & Setting – Washington Square (1997)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Washington Square (1997). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

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Main Characters – Washington Square (1997)

Meet the key characters of Washington Square (1997), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

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Major Themes – Washington Square (1997)

Explore the central themes of Washington Square (1997), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Melancholy period dramas like Washington Square

Period dramas about characters trapped by wealth, propriety, and quiet despair.If you liked the quiet suffering and societal constraints of Washington Square, this thread features similar movies about characters trapped by wealth and propriety. These stories explore themes of female resilience, paternal control, and the high cost of maintaining appearances in a gilded age.

melancholicrestrainedsomberintimateresignedclaustrophobicelegantquiet

Narrative Summary

These stories often follow a protagonist whose inner life is rich with unmet longing, constrained by the expectations of their affluent world. The central conflict is typically internal or arises from a clash between personal desire and familial or societal duty, unfolding slowly and leading to a bittersweet resolution of dignified acceptance or loss.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared atmospheric pressure—a sense of being trapped in beautiful but suffocating environments. They share a melancholic tone, slow pacing that allows for deep character study, and a focus on the emotional weight of unspoken rules and repressed feelings.

Romantic dramas with questionable motives like Washington Square

Stories where love is tested by the suspicion of financial motives.For viewers who enjoyed the suspense of Morris Townsend's courtship in Washington Square, this thread explores other movies where a character's romantic intentions are clouded by ambition. These films delve into themes of inheritance, emotional manipulation, and the difficult choice between security and the gamble of love.

romantic suspenseemotional manipulationdoubtsocietal pressurefamily conflictbittersweetpsychological

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist, often sheltered or emotionally vulnerable, who is courted by a charismatic but financially insecure suitor. The plot hinges on the growing doubt about the suitor's authenticity, forcing the protagonist to navigate the conflicting advice of wary family members and their own desperate hope for love, often leading to a bittersweet revelation.

Why These Movies?

These movies are connected by their central dramatic question: is this love real? They share a specific plot structure involving courtship, doubt, and emotional manipulation. The tone is often serious and melancholic, with medium intensity focused on psychological tension rather than physical action.

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Washington Square Summary

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Washington Square Timeline

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Washington Square Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About Washington Square

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Washington Square: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to Washington Square

Discover movies like Washington Square that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.