Customer Reviews:
It's a wild Wilde life -- and a fascinating film.......2007-05-27
I have somewhat conflicting opinions about this film, just as I have conflicting opinions about Oscar Wilde himself. No one can dispute the fact that Wilde was a literary genius; ample proof of this is found in the successful rehabilitation of his work in reputation long before the aspects of his infamous lifestyle became acceptable to even a minor fraction of society. If, as hardly seems possible, you aren't aware of the scandal associated with Wilde's downfall, this film spares the viewer few of the most intimate of details (in other words, there is male nudity - and plenty of it). It's a brave film, featuring a most accomplished class of actors and actresses turning in terrific performances, but it doesn't feel perfectly complete to me. Rather than delivering a flamboyant Oscar Wilde who truly reveled in his own audacity, this Oscar Wilde seemed subdued and sometimes even haunted by the lifestyle he led. While his wit is demonstrated quite often, this didn't quite seem like the young man who became the toast of London before he met with his first literary success and reveled in the danger inherent in his forays into the London underworld of homosexuality. Maybe it's just impossible to capture the true spirit of this most singular of men, but I just felt as if this film tried to cast Wilde as something of a victim led astray by all these pretty young boys and a man doomed by his own nature, and I don't completely buy into that.
I was also somewhat disappointed by the fact that Wilde's writing played only an incidental role in this story. We don't get a very good sense of the shocking nature of The Picture of Dorian Gray to Victorian society, apart from the comments of young Lord Alfred "Bosie" Douglas (Jude Law) upon his introduction to the author, and Wilde's successful plays provide little more than short moments in the sun for Wilde to receive the cheers of appreciative audiences on opening nights. There's basically no commentary on the relationship between Wilde's writing and his life.
I don't want to sound too negative, however, as I think this is a wonderful film. Stephen Fry makes for a wonderful, albeit subdued, Oscar Wilde, but Jude Law turns in a much more memorable performance as Bosie. With his flamboyant nature, sudden mood swings between devil-may-care flamboyance and taciturn childishness, and natural coquettishness, he dominates one scene after another. Wilde, in fact, becomes something of a pathetic creature at times, a helpless instrument in the hands of a young seducer whom he must suspect will ultimately lead to his downfall and disgrace. Certainly, there was little chance of keeping this extended dalliance a protected secret, but one cannot blame Bosie's father - evil brute that he was - from seeking Wilde's destruction. The irony, of course, is that Wilde engineered his own downfall, as it was his decision to sue the Marquess of Queensberry for libel (and to thereby perjure himself in court) that led to his arrest for gross indecency.
I certainly can't admire anything about Oscar Wilde's personal life beyond his brave determination to be nothing less than who he truly was, even when that meant facing two back-breaking years of manual labor in prison. I do admire his genius, however, and I don't think there's any doubt that his exploits influenced the society of his day and age.
He helped define one era and ushered in the dawn of a new one. Most of all, he was just bloody fascinating. Any movie about his life would be noteworthy, and this one is certainly that.
Amazon.co.uk Review
Wilde could easily have been nothing more than another well-dressed literary film from the British costume drama stable, but thanks to a richly textured performance from Stephen Fry in the title role, it becomes something deeper--a moving study of how the conflict between individual desires and social expectations can ruin lives. Oscar Wilde's writing may be justifiably legendary for its sly, barbed wit, but Wilde the film is far from a comedy, even though Fry relishes delivering the great man's famous quips. It takes on tragic dimensions as soon as Wilde meets Lord Alfred Douglas, known as Bosie, the strikingly beautiful but viciously selfish young aristocrat who wins Oscar's heart but loses him his reputation, marriage and freedom. Fry is brilliant at capturing how the intensity of Wilde's love for Bosie threw him off balance, becoming an all-consuming force he was unable to resist. Jude Law expertly depicts both Bosie's allure and his spitefully destructive side, there are subtle supporting performances from Vanessa Redgrave, Jennifer Ehle and Zoe Wanamaker, and the period trappings are lavishly trowelled on. But this is Fry's show all the way: from Oscar the darling of theatrical London to Wilde the prisoner broken on the wheel of Victorian moralism, he doesn't put a foot wrong. It feels like the role he was born to play. --Andy Medhurst
Customer Reviews:
wonderful but so much is left out.......2005-08-03
Everything said by other reviewers about Wilde, Fry and this production are perfectly correct. Wilde has been covered several times in the past and each production tries to portray this complex man according to the standards of the time it is made.
This production is no different. The BBC valiantly steers away from anything remotely genuinely sexual between the men. Which of course is what ruins the film. What is portrayed is largely wrong and the fact that Wilde was mostly involved on a platonic level is never properly developed. Why for example does the BBC always show him fully clothed in bed when his partner is naked? There is a need to dwell on the difference between lust and love between men and this just doesn't happen.
They prefer the viewer to put their own spin on what goes on which, with a topic of this nature is plainly absurd.
They similarly destroyed an otherwise good production on Byron. There's no hint even that the man was one of the great pedophiles of all time. Even the man's death is quickly passed over to avoid having to say what really happened.
Of course male to male sex of any kind is dangerous territory for any film maker but it can be done and of course has been done. One need only recall some of the films shown on Channel 4 to understand this.
So a great production but decidedly unbalanced.
Wild!.......2005-01-11
This is a bipoic of the great Oscar Wilde starring the wonderful Stephen Fry as the man himself amongst a star studded cast including Vanessa Redgrave and Jude Law. A thoroughly moving film about a truly inspirational man, Stephen Fry is perfect as Oscar but I would have liked even more of Wilde's gems of wisdom to have been included. Not for anyone who is easily offended by same sex love scenes!
Overlooked but excellent.......2004-07-19
I will admit from the start that I am an admirer of both Stephen Fry and Oscar Wilde, so this film is a dream come true for me. However, if you're not a fan of either, this could just be the thing to convert you.
Fry gives a simply amazing performance as Wilde, at times heartbreakingly touching; he almost makes you go through the emotions with him. Jude Law as the arrogant Bosie is quite perfect, both physically and performance-wise. Jennifer Ehle and Michael Sheen are both equally excellent, as are the rest of this great cast. In fact, I can find no fault with this film whatever, and it's one of my favourites of all time. The courtroom scene always moves me to tears without fail, and there are very few films that can do that, if any! You needn't think that it's a depressing film though, as there are always the injections of Oscar's razor sharp wit to balance the mood.
The documentary on the DVD is great too; a nice addition. But just one question: Where did the Best Actor Oscar go?
Wilde.......2003-10-06
Having an enormous amount of respect for Stephen Fry, I watched Wilde with high expectations and I wasn't disappointed. 'Wilde' was moving and Fry played the part with a huge amount of depth; which allowed the audience to become more subjective and emotionally involved during the film. I found some of the underlying themes of family and social acceptance a little washed over. However, the film has a grown up and sombre feel, juxtaposed with humour and wit. Highly recommended.
Magnificent!.......2002-10-12
I am a huge fan of Oscar Wilde, and I believe that this production portrayed him perfectly. Stephen Fry is very talented, and the two are stuningly alike. Jude Law as Bosie was also very well acted out, and I found myself immersed in tears and laughter, simultaneously.
This is a must buy for anyone who loves literature, who's been inlove and hated for it, and anyone who's basically human.
Amazon.co.uk Review
Wilde could easily have been nothing more than another well-dressed literary film from the British costume drama stable, but thanks to a richly textured performance from Stephen Fry in the title role, it becomes something deeper--a moving study of how the conflict between individual desires and social expectations can ruin lives. Oscar Wilde's writing may be justifiably legendary for its sly, barbed wit, but Wilde the film is far from a comedy, even though Fry relishes delivering the great man's famous quips. It takes on tragic dimensions as soon as Wilde meets Lord Alfred Douglas, known as Bosie, the strikingly beautiful but viciously selfish young aristocrat who wins Oscar's heart but loses him his reputation, marriage and freedom. Fry is brilliant at capturing how the intensity of Wilde's love for Bosie threw him off balance, becoming an all-consuming force he was unable to resist. Jude Law expertly depicts both Bosie's allure and his spitefully destructive side, there are subtle supporting performances from Vanessa Redgrave, Jennifer Ehle and Zoe Wanamaker, and the period trappings are lavishly trowelled on. But this is Fry's show all the way: from Oscar the darling of theatrical London to Wilde the prisoner broken on the wheel of Victorian moralism, he doesn't put a foot wrong. It feels like the role he was born to play. --Andy Medhurst
Amazon.co.uk Review
Wilde could easily have been nothing more than another well-dressed literary film from the British costume drama stable, but thanks to a richly textured performance from Stephen Fry in the title role, it becomes something deeper--a moving study of how the conflict between individual desires and social expectations can ruin lives. Oscar Wilde's writing may be justifiably legendary for its sly, barbed wit, but Wilde the film is far from a comedy, even though Fry relishes delivering the great man's famous quips. It takes on tragic dimensions as soon as Wilde meets Lord Alfred Douglas, known as Bosie, the strikingly beautiful but viciously selfish young aristocrat who wins Oscar's heart but loses him his reputation, marriage and freedom. Fry is brilliant at capturing how the intensity of Wilde's love for Bosie threw him off balance, becoming an all-consuming force he was unable to resist. Jude Law expertly depicts both Bosie's allure and his spitefully destructive side, there are subtle supporting performances from Vanessa Redgrave, Jennifer Ehle and Zoe Wanamaker, and the period trappings are lavishly trowelled on. But this is Fry's show all the way: from Oscar the darling of theatrical London to Wilde the prisoner broken on the wheel of Victorian moralism, he doesn't put a foot wrong. It feels like the role he was born to play. --Andy Medhurst
Customer Reviews:
wonderful but so much is left out.......2005-08-03
Everything said by other reviewers about Wilde, Fry and this production are perfectly correct. Wilde has been covered several times in the past and each production tries to portray this complex man according to the standards of the time it is made.
This production is no different. The BBC valiantly steers away from anything remotely genuinely sexual between the men. Which of course is what ruins the film. What is portrayed is largely wrong and the fact that Wilde was mostly involved on a platonic level is never properly developed. Why for example does the BBC always show him fully clothed in bed when his partner is naked? There is a need to dwell on the difference between lust and love between men and this just doesn't happen.
They prefer the viewer to put their own spin on what goes on which, with a topic of this nature is plainly absurd.
They similarly destroyed an otherwise good production on Byron. There's no hint even that the man was one of the great pedophiles of all time. Even the man's death is quickly passed over to avoid having to say what really happened.
Of course male to male sex of any kind is dangerous territory for any film maker but it can be done and of course has been done. One need only recall some of the films shown on Channel 4 to understand this.
So a great production but decidedly unbalanced.
Wild!.......2005-01-11
This is a bipoic of the great Oscar Wilde starring the wonderful Stephen Fry as the man himself amongst a star studded cast including Vanessa Redgrave and Jude Law. A thoroughly moving film about a truly inspirational man, Stephen Fry is perfect as Oscar but I would have liked even more of Wilde's gems of wisdom to have been included. Not for anyone who is easily offended by same sex love scenes!
Overlooked but excellent.......2004-07-19
I will admit from the start that I am an admirer of both Stephen Fry and Oscar Wilde, so this film is a dream come true for me. However, if you're not a fan of either, this could just be the thing to convert you.
Fry gives a simply amazing performance as Wilde, at times heartbreakingly touching; he almost makes you go through the emotions with him. Jude Law as the arrogant Bosie is quite perfect, both physically and performance-wise. Jennifer Ehle and Michael Sheen are both equally excellent, as are the rest of this great cast. In fact, I can find no fault with this film whatever, and it's one of my favourites of all time. The courtroom scene always moves me to tears without fail, and there are very few films that can do that, if any! You needn't think that it's a depressing film though, as there are always the injections of Oscar's razor sharp wit to balance the mood.
The documentary on the DVD is great too; a nice addition. But just one question: Where did the Best Actor Oscar go?
Wilde.......2003-10-06
Having an enormous amount of respect for Stephen Fry, I watched Wilde with high expectations and I wasn't disappointed. 'Wilde' was moving and Fry played the part with a huge amount of depth; which allowed the audience to become more subjective and emotionally involved during the film. I found some of the underlying themes of family and social acceptance a little washed over. However, the film has a grown up and sombre feel, juxtaposed with humour and wit. Highly recommended.
Magnificent!.......2002-10-12
I am a huge fan of Oscar Wilde, and I believe that this production portrayed him perfectly. Stephen Fry is very talented, and the two are stuningly alike. Jude Law as Bosie was also very well acted out, and I found myself immersed in tears and laughter, simultaneously.
This is a must buy for anyone who loves literature, who's been inlove and hated for it, and anyone who's basically human.
Amazon.co.uk Review
Wilde could easily have been nothing more than another well-dressed literary film from the British costume drama stable, but thanks to a richly textured performance from Stephen Fry in the title role, it becomes something deeper--a moving study of how the conflict between individual desires and social expectations can ruin lives. Oscar Wilde's writing may be justifiably legendary for its sly, barbed wit, but Wilde the film is far from a comedy, even though Fry relishes delivering the great man's famous quips. It takes on tragic dimensions as soon as Wilde meets Lord Alfred Douglas, known as Bosie, the strikingly beautiful but viciously selfish young aristocrat who wins Oscar's heart but loses him his reputation, marriage and freedom. Fry is brilliant at capturing how the intensity of Wilde's love for Bosie threw him off balance, becoming an all-consuming force he was unable to resist. Jude Law expertly depicts both Bosie's allure and his spitefully destructive side, there are subtle supporting performances from Vanessa Redgrave, Jennifer Ehle and Zoe Wanamaker, and the period trappings are lavishly trowelled on. But this is Fry's show all the way: from Oscar the darling of theatrical London to Wilde the prisoner broken on the wheel of Victorian moralism, he doesn't put a foot wrong. It feels like the role he was born to play. --Andy Medhurst
Customer Reviews:
wonderful but so much is left out.......2005-08-03
Everything said by other reviewers about Wilde, Fry and this production are perfectly correct. Wilde has been covered several times in the past and each production tries to portray this complex man according to the standards of the time it is made.
This production is no different. The BBC valiantly steers away from anything remotely genuinely sexual between the men. Which of course is what ruins the film. What is portrayed is largely wrong and the fact that Wilde was mostly involved on a platonic level is never properly developed. Why for example does the BBC always show him fully clothed in bed when his partner is naked? There is a need to dwell on the difference between lust and love between men and this just doesn't happen.
They prefer the viewer to put their own spin on what goes on which, with a topic of this nature is plainly absurd.
They similarly destroyed an otherwise good production on Byron. There's no hint even that the man was one of the great pedophiles of all time. Even the man's death is quickly passed over to avoid having to say what really happened.
Of course male to male sex of any kind is dangerous territory for any film maker but it can be done and of course has been done. One need only recall some of the films shown on Channel 4 to understand this.
So a great production but decidedly unbalanced.
Wild!.......2005-01-11
This is a bipoic of the great Oscar Wilde starring the wonderful Stephen Fry as the man himself amongst a star studded cast including Vanessa Redgrave and Jude Law. A thoroughly moving film about a truly inspirational man, Stephen Fry is perfect as Oscar but I would have liked even more of Wilde's gems of wisdom to have been included. Not for anyone who is easily offended by same sex love scenes!
Overlooked but excellent.......2004-07-19
I will admit from the start that I am an admirer of both Stephen Fry and Oscar Wilde, so this film is a dream come true for me. However, if you're not a fan of either, this could just be the thing to convert you.
Fry gives a simply amazing performance as Wilde, at times heartbreakingly touching; he almost makes you go through the emotions with him. Jude Law as the arrogant Bosie is quite perfect, both physically and performance-wise. Jennifer Ehle and Michael Sheen are both equally excellent, as are the rest of this great cast. In fact, I can find no fault with this film whatever, and it's one of my favourites of all time. The courtroom scene always moves me to tears without fail, and there are very few films that can do that, if any! You needn't think that it's a depressing film though, as there are always the injections of Oscar's razor sharp wit to balance the mood.
The documentary on the DVD is great too; a nice addition. But just one question: Where did the Best Actor Oscar go?
Wilde.......2003-10-06
Having an enormous amount of respect for Stephen Fry, I watched Wilde with high expectations and I wasn't disappointed. 'Wilde' was moving and Fry played the part with a huge amount of depth; which allowed the audience to become more subjective and emotionally involved during the film. I found some of the underlying themes of family and social acceptance a little washed over. However, the film has a grown up and sombre feel, juxtaposed with humour and wit. Highly recommended.
Magnificent!.......2002-10-12
I am a huge fan of Oscar Wilde, and I believe that this production portrayed him perfectly. Stephen Fry is very talented, and the two are stuningly alike. Jude Law as Bosie was also very well acted out, and I found myself immersed in tears and laughter, simultaneously.
This is a must buy for anyone who loves literature, who's been inlove and hated for it, and anyone who's basically human.
UK DVD:
- Wire in the Blood: Series 1 and 2 (5 Disc Box Set) [2002]
- Wuthering Heights [1992]
- Wuthering Heights [1999]
- 21 Grams [2004]
- A.I. Artificial Intelligence [2001] - 2 disc set
- Almost Famous [2000]
- Amadeus -- Director's Cut 2-Disc Special Edition [1985]
- A Mighty Heart [2007]
- Amores Perros [2001]
- Angel-A [2005]
UK DVD List
UK DVD
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The Oscar Wilde BBC Collection : The Importance Of Being Earnest / The Picture Of Dorian Gray / An Ideal Husband / Lady Windermere's Fan (3 Disc Box Set)
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Bright Young Things [2003]
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The Importance Of Being Earnest [2002]
The Wit and Wisdom of Oscar Wilde: A Treasury of Quotations, Anecdotes, and Observations
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