Wilde (1998)

A Reliable Version

Brian Gilbert's "Wilde" stands as a realiable version of the Irish writer's later years. Wilde's relationship with Alfred Douglas, Robert Ross, his wife Constance and many other characters is consistent, and agrees with reports left by contemporaries who knew well Oscar Wilde and his circle. Good performances by Stephen Fry, Jude Law, Michael Sheen and Tom Wilkinson. The latter, as the marquis of Queensberry, is outstanding - although portraying such a clichéed character is obviously a much easier task than, say, the ambiguity of Wilde himself or the never too well explained behaviour of Constance Wilde. Art direction is superb and manages to take us into the very rooms where action takes place in a most natural manner. Vanessa Redgrave makes a short apparition, though she fails to capture Wilde's mother eccentricities properly, as well as the influence she had on her son's life. August 22, 2008

Top Notch!!

I could watch this gem over and over. Stephen Frye is brilliant as Wilde. He is charming, sweet, endearing, and utterly believable. I was shocked that Jude Law (who is heterosexual) could do such a convincing job of acting the part of a gay man. The scenes between the two were poignant, passionate, provocative, and very capable of provoking a visceral response from the viewer. It IS a love story and not a biography of Wilde...which is exactly what it is intended to be. Pooh on those who dissed it because it focused more on Wilde's love for Bozie and not as much on his talent as a writer and poet. There are so few homosexual love stories as tasteful and aesthetic as this one and I cherish it. If you wish to watch a tender, tragic, tasteful love story between two gay men, this is a must see. June 10, 2008

Top Drawer!

Stephen Fry portrays Oscar Wilde brilliantly, with charm, sensitivity, and poignancy in this beautifully crafted film. Jude Law is properly aristocratic and arrogant in his role as Wilde's disastrous choice of paramours. The performances of the supporting cast, which includes Vanessa Redgrave and Zoe Wanamaker, are splendid. The costumes and settings are magnificent.

The essentials of the review being stated, I shall now add my two-cents worth to this ridiculous discussion, which I cannot believe is taking place. When I read the title, "Wilde", and I know that Oscar Wilde had a disastrous affair with Bosie Douglas, see that the rating is R (for sexual content), I can probably presume the nature of that content. I have two choices. I can either choose not to watch the movie, or when I see a young man unbuttoning his shirt as he approaches Wilde, I can avert my eyes in a manner that is appropriately Victorian considering the subject of this film (Shut your eyes and think of England!), as I do in the Godfather movies, when I see Michael or Vincent Corleone (or whoever) pointing a gun at close range at someone's head. I loathe violence, but a movie about a Mafia dynasty (with an R rating for violence) tells me that blood will be spattered. I am not going to let my own sensibilities about what amounts to not even 5% of a movie spoil my appreciation of an otherwise magnificent film.

Really!!! May 25, 2008

A haunting tragedy, accurately retold

A very impressive retelling of the tragic life story of Oscar Wilde - and surprisingly accurate too (the filmmakers may be forgiven for having Constance's tombstone inscribed "wife of Oscar Wilde", a text that was in fact only added many years later; tragically, when Wilde visited the grave, there was no mention of him on it at all.) Much like the sinking of the Titanic, the Wilde story has all the ingredients of intense drama: glamorous lives turned on their heads, a plunge from the heights of fame into utter disaster, the devastating effects of hubris and sheer stupidity, and a good dollop of nostalgia. Put all that in a supremely well cast, well-paced and well-dressed movie, and a memorable experience results.

Stephen Fry is just about the living embodiment of Wilde, his big-boned features even providing an uncanny physical resemblance. His transformation to the broken man Wilde was after Reading Gaol is painfully believable. Jude Law as Alfred Douglas excels in the only type of role he seems really fit to play, that of the vapid, self-obsessed pretty boy. Smaller roles abound in luxury casting, e.g., Vanessa Redgrave as Wilde's Bohemian mother, and Ioan Gruffudd as John Gray. Jennifer Ehle, of Pride and Prejudice fame, is very impressive as the tormented Constance - so impressive indeed that the marital relationship and family life of the Wildes becomes the emotional core of the film - interwoven, like a red thread, with the story of the Selfish Giant, told in voice-over. The viewer is made to feel rather less sympathy for Oscar's homosexual exploits in a world dominated by a self-centered lover and herds of opportunistic rent boys. (in passing you may spot Orlando Bloom making his extremely brief big screen debut as one of them). Michael Sheen as Robbie Ross (the only sympathetic role I've ever seen him in) is the redeeming feature, and much like in reality does not receive his due for it.

Apparently there are people who even today hold Victorian views like Wilde's judge, who felt that the extent of the law really was too limited to punish his behaviour adequately. Such people will have you believe this movie is some kind of gay hardcore production. Ridiculous, of course. The depiction of Wilde's "second life" is not encumbered by any of the hypocrisies that still tainted Hollywood-made Brokeback Mountain 8 years later, but it never exceeds the boundaries of functionality or good taste. Of course, if you can't stand the sight of men kissing (or of Jude Law's derriere), that's your problem.
January 2, 2008

great movie....great acting

the movie was terrific....the actors were cast perfectly. I think this is the best rendition of Wilde's story so far. November 1, 2007

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