The period film that Prime Video has released as a surprise: you'll love it if you're a fan of 'Pride and Prejudice'

The video-on-demand (VOD) platform Prime Video recently released a period film that will delight those who enjoy romantic films set in the 19th century. It's a drama with feminist overtones , impossible love, disputed inheritances, and an unforgettable protagonist.

The film adapts the novel by Henry James , and is directed by Polish director Agnieszka Holland, responsible for works such as Copying Beethoven or Spoor (The Trail) . Starring Jennifer Jason Leigh and Ben Chaplin, and the legendary Albert Finney and Maggie Smith, it was originally released in 1997. Washington Square (The Heiress) is the modern version of the literary classic of the same name, which was previously brought to the cinema in 1949, with Olivia de Havilland and Montgomery Clift as the protagonists.

The film now lands on streaming to win over fans of "cup" films, set in the 19th century, such as Little Women , thanks to its careful setting , its intimate treatment and a lead performance that was widely praised by critics.

The story is set in 1850s New York and revolves around Catherine Sloper, a shy, wealthy young woman struggling to find her place in a hostile environment marked by her father's coldness and social prejudices. Her apparent weakness contrasts with the determination she develops when a suitor, as charming as he is interested, crosses her path.

The film moves between family drama and romance, with an emotional undertone reminiscent of films that adapt Jane Austen , with a certain touch of sweetness and humor. Although it was a commercial failure upon its release, Washington Square (The Heiress) was praised by critics who highlighted the talent of Jason Leigh (later seen in The Hateful Eight , or series like Atypical ) in portraying a restrained but deeply courageous woman.