Bogdanovich’s adaptation of Henry James’ novella stars Cybill Shepherd as the headstrong, flirtatious Daisy, a wealthy American tourist in turn of the century Europe whose willful ignorance of the mores of upper-class expatriate society results in tragedy. A departure for Bogdanovich in both its European setting and subject, Daisy Miller was a critical and commercial failure at the time of its release, but has since been recognized as an important turning point in Bogdanovich’s maturation as a filmmaker. With its Wellesian deep focus and extensive use of mirrors and reflective surfaces, Daisy Miller is a visually sumptuous and emotionally complex exploration of James’ theme of the battle between American optimism and the cultivated decadence of European society.