The Age of Innocence (1993)

Miriam Margolyes: Mrs. Mingott

Photos 

Quotes 

• Mrs. Mingott : I gave up arguing with young people 50 years ago.

• Mrs. Mingott : Your name was Beaufort when he covered you with jewels and it's got to stay Beaufort now that he's covered you with shame.

• Mrs. Mingott : I told him he should have married you!

  Ellen Olenska : [laughs]  And, what did he say?

  Mrs. Mingott : Oh, my darling, I leave you to find that out.

• Newland Archer : Is this really so difficult?

  Mrs. Mingott : The entire family is difficult! Not one of them wants to be different. When they are different, they end up like Ellen's parents. No masks. Continental wanderers, dragging Ellen about, lavishing on her an expensive but incoherent education. Out of all of them, I don't believe there's one that takes after me, but my little Ellen. You've got a quick eye. Why in the world didn't you marry her?

  Newland Archer : Well, for one thing, she wasn't there to be married.

  Mrs. Mingott : No. To be sure.

• Mrs. Mingott : When's the wedding to be?

  Newland Archer : Oh, as soon as ever it can, if only you'll back me up, Mrs. Mingott.

  Mrs. Welland : We must give them time to know each other a little better, mama.

  Mrs. Mingott : Know each other? Everybody in New York has always known everybody. Don't wait till the bubbles off the wine. Marry them before Lent. I may catch pneumonia any winter now and I want to give the Wedding Breakfast.

• Mrs. Mingott : We should remember, marriage is marriage and Ellen is still a wife.