Everything That Dies, Some Day Comes Back

My memory of this Scorsese film was one of mild disappointment but I couldn’t say why - was it something about the Edith Wharton story or was it how it was put on the screen? Either way, on this rewatch I was far from being disappointed.   In fact I was completely gripped by the unfolding scandalous relationship between the betrothed Newland (Daniel Day-Lewis, excellent as always) and the Countess Olenska. The latter is played by Michelle Pfeiffer, one of my favourite actresses, giving one of her finest performances. Slowly but inexorably the polite society surrounding Newland and the Countess manages to kill their burgeoning romance, and leads him having to submit himself to a dull marriage to May (Winona Ryder).   It's all very sad which is maybe why I didn't remember the film fondly. Then at the end we flash forward several decades, to a conclusion where the aging Newland could meet the Countess, but he declines the opportunity.   I don't understand why,...