Henry James: The Movie

The film begins in Venice
As conceived by the dreamer before
He begins his journey, which ends
At the Bridge of Sighs, where the college friends
Quarrel, make up, declare their vows and divide
The city between them. There is
A moment of terror when the gondola
Enters a tunnel and the foolish younger sister
Yields her heart to the conquering hero
Who ends up with egg on his face because,
Well, because Europe was wise and old
But also decadent and eager to corrupt
Innocent America, ripe for the plucking,
Like the fruit of knowledge, desired, denied.