Terence Davies’ costume drama has received critical raves for its faithful adaptation of Edith Wharton’s novel, which was an indictment of the hypocrisy and social guidelines governing the leisure class of her era. Since no one knew this New York society world better than Wharton, there’s a touching knowingness and attention to detail as she chronicles the social decline of her tragic heroine, Lily Bart. As an attractive, single woman without an inheritance, Bart (Gillian Anderson) must make a financially advantageous marriage to preserve her place in society. But she consistently makes bad decisions, carelessly ignoring the rules society had set for women of her position. As a modern woman trapped in the wrong era, Bart doesn’t realize the seriousness of her situation until it’s too late. The cast also includes Eric Stoltz, and Dan Aykroyd in what’s being called his best performance to date. See “Opening Friday” for theaters and times.