What Is This Modern Age About?
The premise of This Modern Age in 291 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a world where inherited privilege meets the restless pulse of the 1930s, Valentine “Val” Winters finds herself thrust from the protective orbit of her late father into a whirlwind of high‑society expectations. The sudden shift forces her to confront the delicate balance between family loyalty and personal ambition, a tension that is amplified when she discovers her sophisticated mother, Diane “Di” Winters, living a surprising life abroad. The film’s elegant settings—glittering mansions, lively cafés, and the romantic streets of Paris—serve as a backdrop for a young woman’s first true test of independence.
Diane’s Parisian existence introduces Tony Girard, a charismatic, free‑spirited companion who embodies a carefree counterpoint to Val’s polished upbringing. Their interactions hint at a world where charm and recklessness intermingle, suggesting that Val’s journey will be shaped as much by unexpected friendships as by the pressures of her lineage. The tone oscillates between sophisticated drama and breezy wit, reflecting the protagonist’s inner conflict between duty and desire.
Across the Atlantic, Robert “Bob” Blake Jr. arrives as a striking contrast: a Harvard‑educated football star whose aristocratic family expects him to follow a prescribed path of privilege and propriety. Bob’s own yearning to break away from parental expectations mirrors Val’s struggle, setting the stage for a partnership built on shared aspirations for freedom. Their worlds collide in a delicate dance of class, love, and the daring choice to forge a future on their own terms.
This Modern Age paints a vivid portrait of youthful idealism confronting entrenched social conventions. Through sumptuous scenery and nuanced character dynamics, the film invites viewers to linger on the quiet moments where courage is first whispered, hinting at the possibilities that lie ahead for those bold enough to step beyond the shadows of their heritage.
What Happens in This Modern Age?
The complete story of This Modern Age, from the first scene to the last, in 570 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 1 cast member page.
Spoilers ahead
Socialite Valentine “Val” Winters, Joan Crawford, is the daughter of divorced parents and has not seen her sophisticated mother, Diane “Di” Winters, in years; the courts awarded sole custody to Val’s father, who has recently died, casting Val into a new orbit of high society and shifting loyalties. When Val travels to Paris for a reunion, she discovers Diane living there as the mistress of André de Graignon, [Albert Conti], which unsettles Val and upends her expectations of both her mother and her own future.
In the City of Light, Val encounters Tony Girard, a charismatic but drinking companion from Diane’s social circle. Tony’s carefree, boisterous lifestyle stands in stark contrast to Val’s refined upbringing, and their chemistry becomes a focal point of the tension surrounding Diane’s arrangement with André. The plot thickens after a fateful car wreck involving Val and Tony, from which they are rescued by a capable, athletic young man named Robert “Bob” Blake Jr., [Neil Hamilton], a Harvard-educated football player who embodies a steady, wholesome counterpoint to Tony’s reckless charm. Val and Bob quickly fall in love, and Bob invites his parents to meet Val, hoping to secure a future with her.
Val’s romance with Bob triggers a clash of values. Bob’s parents—Robert Blake Sr. and Margaret Blake, portrayed by Hobart Bosworth and Emma Dunn—do not approve of Tony or the complicated living arrangement with Diane. The conflict intensifies as Bob overhears Diane and André discussing their life together and André’s view that his own life is on hold for Val, prompting Bob to race to salvage a hurried marriage before Val learns the full truth. He tries to persuade Val to elope with him, but when Val resists, he reveals what he has learned about her mother and the web of relationships surrounding them. Val feels betrayed, believing the accusations about the house and Diane’s intentions, and she withdraws, insisting that her mother’s integrity and their bond come first.
The rift leads Val back to Diane, who admits the truth about her actions and the delicate situation she has created. Val is initially shocked by the deception but remains steadfast in her loyalty to her mother, choosing to stay with Diane despite the consequences. The two move into a smaller apartment, and Tony remains a lingering presence in Val’s life. Yet Diane’s choices ripple outward: she recontacts André and tells him she will leave Val to travel Europe with him, a decision that makes Val feel deeply betrayed.
Diane’s precarious standing in Paris comes to a head as she seeks mercy for Val from Bob’s parents, but they reject her pleas. The revelation of Diane’s compromised reputation accelerates her departure with André, leaving Val to confront the personal cost of her mother’s actions. In a shifting moment of perspective, Bob perceives his parents’ outdated judgment as harsh and hypocritical, which opens the door for reconciliation. Ultimately, Bob goes to Val, and the two are reunited, choosing to continue their relationship despite the complications that surround Val’s family.
This story unfolds as a drama of loyalty, social expectations, and the difficult choices that define love across generations. It tracks Val’s inner conflict between family devotion and personal happiness, the fragile nature of trust, and the ways in which public perception can complicate intimate bonds. The film leaves Val and Bob stepping forward together, their relationship renewed in the shadow of treacherous secrets and heartfelt loyalties alike.
This Modern Age Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Val travels to Paris to reunite with her mother” to “Val and Bob reunite”. 12 events name a place, across 2 locations.
- 1
Val travels to Paris to reunite with her mother
Valentine Winters travels to Paris for a long-awaited reunion with her mother, Diane, who has become a socialite in André de Graignon's circle. Diane's glamorous world hints at hidden tensions, and Val begins to navigate this morally tangled landscape. Her arrival foreshadows the conflicts to come as Tony's presence introduces a disruptive energy.
Where:Paris
- 2
Val meets Tony in Diane's circle
In Paris, Val meets Tony, a fun-loving but alcoholic member of Diane's social circle. Tony's rowdy energy contrasts with Val's refined expectations, drawing her into a chaotic social orbit. The budding tension sets the stage for later conflicts.
Where:Paris
- 3
Car wreck and rescue by Bob Blake Jr.
Val and Tony are involved in a car crash, and they are rescued by Bob Blake Jr., a Harvard football player. Val and Bob rapidly become drawn to each other, and their connection hints at a potential romance beyond the current complications.
Where:Near Paris
- 4
Bob's parents meet Val and disapprove
Bob invites his parents to meet Val, and they disapprove of Tony and of Diane's living arrangement with André. The meeting reveals a rift between Val's new circle and Bob's family, foreshadowing further clashes.
Where:Paris
- 5
Bob overhears Diane and André discuss Val
Bob overhears a private conversation in which Diane complains that her life is on hold for Val and that André intends to move Diane out. He tries to rush their marriage so Val can leave Diane's shadow, but Val resists and he reveals the truth to her.
Where:Paris
- 6
Val confronts Bob and stays with her mother
Val confronts Bob after hearing his accusations, insisting that her love for her mother is sincere. She rejects his plea and decides to stand by Diane, even as the truth unsettles her.
Where:Paris
- 7
Val and Diane move to a smaller apartment
Val and Diane move into a much smaller apartment, signaling the strain on their relationship. Tony stops by, still smitten with Val, complicating the new living arrangement.
Where:Paris
- 8
Diane plans to leave Val for André
Diane recontacts André and tells him that she will travel Europe with him, effectively abandoning Val. Val is heartbroken by the revelation, realizing the extent of her mother's betrayal.
Where:Paris
- 9
Diane seeks mercy from Bob's parents; they reject
Diane visits Bob to plead for mercy on Val's behalf, hoping to mend the rift. Bob's parents rebuke Diane's request, further damaging her reputation.
Where:Paris
- 10
Diane leaves Paris with André
With society turning against her, Diane's reputation collapses and she leaves Paris to travel with André. Val learns of her mother's departure and feels the sting of betrayal.
Where:Paris
- 11
Bob reconsiders and supports Val
Bob realizes that his parents' attitudes are antiquated and unjust toward Val. He and Val resolve to move past the conflict, embracing their love.
Where:Paris
- 12
Val and Bob reunite
Bob goes to Val and they are reunited, choosing to continue their relationship. Together they face the consequences of the family upheaval and plan their future.
Where:Paris
Who Are the Main Characters in This Modern Age?
6 characters, among them Valentine 'Val' Winters (Joan Crawford), Tony Girard (Monroe Owsley) and Robert 'Bob' Blake Jr. (Neil Hamilton): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Valentine 'Val' Winters (Joan Crawford)
Played by Joan Crawford
Val is a socialite and the daughter of divorced parents who travels to Paris and becomes entangled in a romance with Bob. She grapples with her mother's influence and a rising awareness of loyalty, love, and personal happiness. Her glamour conceals a growing resolve to understand where her own future should lie.
- 💃 Socialite
- 💔 Family vs Love
- 🎭 Drama
- TG
Tony Girard (Monroe Owsley)
Played by Monroe Owsley
Tony is a fun-loving and alcoholic member of Diane's circle. He adds boisterous energy to Val's Paris visit and fuels the tumult that surrounds Val's relationships. His presence helps drive the story's impulsive, risky social world.
- 🎭 Boisterous
- 🥂 Party-goer
- R'
Robert 'Bob' Blake Jr. (Neil Hamilton)
Played by Neil Hamilton
Bob is a Harvard football player who falls in love with Val and seeks to protect her happiness. He pushes for a quick marriage when he believes Val's well-being is at stake and later reveals the truth about Diane's situation to win Val's trust again. He embodies steadfast affection amid social pressure.
- 🏈 Athlete
- 💖 Love interest
- 🎭 Drama
- D'
Diane 'Di' Winters (Pauline Frederick)
Played by Pauline Frederick
Val's mother who lives in Paris as André de Graignon's mistress. She navigates romance and ambition, and her choices propel the central conflict as Val discovers the truth about her mother's life. Her actions have lasting consequences for Val's sense of loyalty and trust.
- 👩👧 Mother
- 💔 Manipulative
- 🎭 Drama
- AD
André de Graignon (Albert Conti)
Played by Albert Conti
A wealthy Parisian figure involved with Diane. His life appears to be on hold for Val, and his relationship with Diane drives much of the film's conflict and social maneuvering. He embodies the world of old-world wealth and social obligation.
- 💼 Wealthy
- 🎭 Drama
- MB
Margaret Blake (Emma Dunn)
Played by Emma Dunn
Bob's mother who disapproves of Val's relationship with Tony and of her mother's lifestyle. She represents conservative social expectations and the pressure to maintain appearances within the upper-class circle.
- 👩👦 Family
- 🗣️ Judgment
- 🎭 Drama
Where and When Is This Modern Age Set?
This Modern Age is set in Paris (Early 1930s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Early 1930s
The story unfolds in the early 1930s, a period of urban modernity and shifting social norms. It reflects pre-Code Hollywood attitudes toward marriage, divorce, and female autonomy within a cosmopolitan milieu. Fashion, cars, and elite Parisian society convey a world of opulence and risk.
Where
Paris
Val travels to Paris for a reunion where her mother lives as the mistress of André de Graignon. The city serves as a glamorous backdrop for high-society interactions, social maneuvering, and romantic entanglements. The Paris setting highlights the contrast between public prestige and private betrayals in Val's world.
- 🌆 Paris
- 🇫🇷 France
What Are the Themes of This Modern Age?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Family vs Independence, Reputation and Betrayal and Love and Truth.
-
01
Family vs Independence
Val's loyalty to her mother clashes with her growing desire for personal happiness with Bob. The film examines how family ties and maternal influence shape a young woman's choices. The conflict reveals the price of independence within a judgmental social sphere.
-
02
Reputation and Betrayal
Diane's deception about her life with André tests Val's trust. The social circle's condemnation underscores how appearances influence fate. Bob's decision to disclose the truth drives the drama and its consequences.
-
03
Love and Truth
Val's romance with Bob is tested by misperceptions and secrets, but truth offers a path to reconciliation. The plot uses romance to critique social hypocrisy and the resilience of genuine affection. The ending hinges on facing the consequences of truth over convenience.
What Kind of Film Is This Modern Age?
Bittersweet in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bittersweet
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A stylish, character-driven drama set in 1930s Paris that navigates the tense and melancholic space between romantic idealism and the bitter realities of family loyalty and societal judgment.
- melancholic
- tense
- romantic
- dramatic
- reflective
- nostalgic
- mother daughter relationship
- social expectations
- love triangle
- family loyalty
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