Customer Reviews

Dorian Gray

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I wasn't expecting to like this very much. However, I was very pleasantly surprised to find that everyone involved with this film knocked himself out. Oliver Parker, the director, certainly had so much more style and flair in his version than I'd seen in the old black and white version. Ben Barnes as Dorian couldn't be better. He is superb. He has the perfect face too for the walking around Dorian whose vices don't show on his face. Firth is his mentor but he is an armchair decadent compared to Dorian, able to talk the talk but not walk the walk.

If there is anyone on the planet who doesn't know the gist of this Oscar Wilde classic novel, it is this: Dorian Gray is a handsome, wealthy young man whose picture is painted as he is launched into society. He is quickly diverted into an ever escalating cycle of vice and debauchery. However, instead of the ravages of dissolution marring his face and figure, they instead ravage the painting. How far will he take this and is there any way out as the painting gets worse and worse?

The settings, the costumes, the details--all wonderful. I think Wilde himself would have enjoyed being at the premiere of this film!

DORIAN GRAY as adapted form Oscar Wilde's famous novel 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' and directed by Oliver Parker is about as fine a transfer of a period novel to the screen as has been made of late. The settings, costumes, and acting are all outstanding and with Parker's 'enhancing' some of the debauchery in the transformed life of this famous character updated to allow for more sensuality and brutality than prior cinematic versions, the tale really becomes dramatic.

Dorian Gray (Ben Barnes), an orphaned, abused child who happens to inherit a mansion in London upon the death of his only relative, comes to London as a young inordinately handsome yet shy man. He is immediately seizes the attention of Lord Henry Wotton (Colin Firth) who believes that the only goal in life is to respond to your desires, to your sensual needs. Dorian is introduced to a young painter Basil Hallward (Ben Chaplin) who is attracted to Dorian's beauty and as he paints his portrait he becomes enamored with his model. As the portrait is completed Lord Henry suggests that Dorian could always remain as beautiful as his portrait if he 'sold his soul' to remain ever youthful. Dorian takes up the idea and follows Lord Henry's tutelage to drink, smoke, and carouse in brothels, opium dens, and in the boudoirs of all the middle aged ladies of society. He encounters a beautiful young actress Sibyl Vane (Rachel Hurd-Wood), falls in love only to cast her aside (we later discover that her body has been thrown into the river much to the chagrin of her brother James (Johnny Harris). As Dorian's thirst for lusty and scandalous behaviors increases he causes much harm: the mutual attraction between Dorian and Basil eventually results in Dorian butchering Basil and discarding his body into the river grave. Dorian decides to leave London and travel to exotic places to try to fill his lascivious appetite: he returns twenty odd years later and every one has aged except Dorian. Lord Henry's daughter Emily (Rebecca Hall), born when Dorian departed London, is Dorian's intellectual match and the two are mutually attracted but Lord Henry violently objects, knowing what the real Dorian Gray is inside. Dorian's secret - that he remains young eternally while his portrait ages and reveals the vile aspects of his corrupt life - is finally revealed and the ending is a gruesome one.

Ben Barnes, Colin Firth, Ben Chaplin, and Rebecca Hall are all superb in their roles - as are all of the many well-known fine British actors who fill minor roles. The DVD adds comments from many of these actors in a way that focuses on Oscar Wilde's novel, making the commitment of everyone involved seem more acutely aware of the film's purpose. It is a very well photographed, costumes, and lighted piece of cinematography - a truly excellent period piece for this great novel to come alive again. Grady Harp, July 10

I finally was able to see the 2009 version of Dorian Gray, adapted from the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.

I am writing this review AS an Oscar Wilde fan. I have read The Picture of Dorian Gray twice and I have read The Canterville Ghost twice.

I am going to tell you right now that these negative reviews that claim that this film is an insult to Oscar Wilde are WRONG! It's as if people who know very little about th eworks of Oscar Wilde are following a trend.

Those that say this would make Oscar Wilde roll over in his grave clearly have never seen the dreadful mid 2000s version of The Picture of Dorian Gray that re-sets it in the 1960s with a female Basil with horrendous acting. And they clearly have never seen the 1940s version of The Canterville Ghost that turned the entire story into World War 2 propaganda about a solider having to prove himself against a Nazi.

I will admit that this not a word for word faithful adaptation of the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray however it is very true to the heart of the novel, the meaning and purpose. The character portrayals are perfect and accurate. All changes are purely superficial. I know Ben Barnes as Dorian does not resemble the character of the novel however he does resemble Oscar Wilde himself and since Oscar Wilde saw himself in Dorian I felt this was a brilliant use of visual symbolism in Wilde's own relationship with Dorian Gray.

I know that some people have complained about the adding of the character Emily Wotton, whom does not exist in the novel. What people fail to remember is that nearly all film versions of The Picture of Dorian Gray have this 'redeemer' character. In the 1940s movie her name was Gladys. In the 1973 version of The Picture of Dorian Gray her name was Beatrice. In most versions she's Basil's niece or daughter but in this version she was Lord Henry's daughter.

What many don't know is that this character does exist in the novel. She's mentioned briefly near the end as a country girl named Hetty. Her part in the novel isn't as big as in the film adaptations but she does still exist and she works to add sympathy to Dorian's character.

You cannot see the inner workings of Dorian's mind in a physical medium like films or plays as you do with the novel so you you need a new way to see his moral struggle. And this is done through the presence of Emily.

Collin Firth was incredible as Lord Henry. That was the best portrayal of Lord Henry since George Sanders. When he says 'People die by common sense.' he fully became Lord Henry for me. Most people treat the role too academically and sound like they're boredly reading from a book. Collin Firth however really got it. He really understood the character. This version of The Picture of Dorian Gray has more of Oscar Wilde's witty epigrams than any other version before it. The only line missing that I wish was in here is Lord Henry gives Dorian a cigarette case. In this one it's just inscribed with Dorian's name. In the novel it reads 'The World has changed because you are made of ivory and gold. The curve of your lips re-write history.'

The only character of the film I did not like was this version of Sibyl Vane. In this version Dorian seduces her into sleeping with him before marriage (as he does in the original film with Angela Lansbury in the role).

When Sibyl starts talking about having a family Dorian argues that it is too soon, much thanks to the ideas planted in his head by Lord Henry. When this Sibyl kills herself it gets revealed that she was with child. This takes away from her sympathy. It's true having a child out of wed lock was frowned upon in the Victorian era but it did happen. And it did not mean the end of the world. Look at the character of Fantine in Les Miserables. It was selfish of this Sibyl to kill herself because she did not just kill herself, she killed herself and the unborn baby that she seemed so eager to have only a few scenes earlier. It looked almost as if the suicide was out of spite.

Sibyl does kill herself in the earlier incarnations but at least she had never done it while carrying a baby and knowing she was carrying the baby, and having wanted to raise the child. It's hard to sympathize with this version of Sibyl, especially since you know her brother Jim would have taken care of both her and the baby if not Dorian.

Basil, however, was very sympathetic. One thing I'm glad they cut was that in most versions Basil didn't just disapprove of Dorian's relationship with Sibyl out of jealousy, he also had told him not to marry beneath his class. Basil doesn't do that in this version. Basil is the most sympathetic of Dorian's Victims in this film.

Dorian himself is played exceptionally well though my favourite character portrayal in this version is Lord Henry. Dorian goes from ruthless and cruel to sympathetic and tragic in a heartbeat. The struggle is perfect. You can see his conscience, and not just with the painting. He is fighting against his own darker instincts which adds to making him sympathetic.

As a true Oscar Wilde fan I feel they captured the spirit of Oscar Wilde's intent. This was the best version of The Picture of Dorian Gray I have ever seen, the black and white version coming in close second for having the better and more innocent version of Sibyl Vane.

I am in America and we never got a theatrical release of this version of Dorian Gray. This film is truly good, truly exceptional, and, if you want to watch any film about a young looking immortal, this is far more intelligent, interesting and just plain better than the Twilight Saga.

I was so excited when I saw this film advertised in 2009. Then hugely upset when it wasn't released in the US. So, when I saw the DVD I immediately ordered it. First off, I have to say I have never read the book, so I can't comment on how good an adaptation it is. Like many though, I am familiar with the basic story: young man nonchalantly offers his soul in exchange for eternal youth. Thereafter, the painting of him takes on all his sins and ages for him. Sounds like a great story! Only after watching the film, I'm disappointed.

There were a lot of good things about the movie. Colin Firth and Ben Barnes were excellent in the roles of Lord Henry Wotton and the title character. And the supporting actors were also very good. The setting, costumes and ambiance were fantastic. And, I was excited to see that it was an R rated film. A book that was so controversial, with a character so depraved, needn't be for the PG-13 set. And, the scenes that earned the R met my expectations. There's nudity, violence and debauchery. And the ending was tense and exciting. Unfortunately, the rest of the film was slow and downright boring at times! This was surprising since the filmmaker, in the making-of featurette, admits to taking liberties with the story in the book to fit it for film. Why take liberties if you aren't going for more even pace to keep the audience engaged?

Overall, I did enjoy the film as Barnes was so exceptional as Dorian. And, I'll probably watch it again - with my finger on the fast-forward button. As to the DVD, it is pretty good for a single disc edition. The making-of featurette had interviews with most of the cast, discussed the book and characters, and was well worth watching.

They just don't make movies in the states like they do in Europe! This movie had a really classy dark feeling. Though I personally didn't like all the nudity... It had to be in there to make a point to the downhill spiral Dorian made!
Ben Barnes is truely an amazing actor! He is so versatile in this and all his other roles! He came into the movie so innocent and "caspian" like! Then you saw the change as he " nailed his soul to the devils alter." Ben is a beautiful actor. He has such presence! I wish there were more young actors out there like him! He has TRUE talent. And he can sing and dance! What young actors can we say can do that? Not many! Ben is actually staring in a play called "Birdsong" in London starting September 18! Wow what else can be said for these brilliant British actors!?
It is a tragedy this movie wasn't shown in the USA on the big screen! Why? Well how many other countries movies are actually shown in the states? Not many! We need more of these movies here!
Colin firth! Amazing as usual and Colin and Ben's chemistry is outstanding!
Excellent movie and true to it's time! I wish it had gone on another 20 minutes!
Can't wait for Ben's movie "Locked in" to come to DVD since the USA probably won't show this one either!
Enjoy this movie! It is a masterpiece!

The soul of Oscar Wilde's scandalous and captivating novel is alive and well in 2010. The latest film version of "The Picture of Dorian Gray" took my breath away. It is a different beast from Wilde's original novel, but it is no less majestic for its transgressions. The decadence is captivating, and the artistic expression is superb. Oliver Parker has shaped a masterpiece, manipulating an unforgettable tale and perfectly adapting it to film. What is important about Parker's film is that it projects the sensationalism and sensibility of the 1890 gothic story into the contemporary world, while remaining faithful to the culture that inspired the original manuscript. Yes, many aspects are unfaithful to the narrative as it is published under Wilde's name, but Dorian is not frequently known for his loyalty.

I truly cannot praise this film enough. As a faithful Wilde devotee, I highly recommend all others with even a passing interest seek out this visual, musical, and narrative masterpiece.

With the dank and drab backcloth of London almost as gray as the title character, I had seen the trailers for this 2009 remake and was excited, yet skeptical that it would not hold up to the original The Picture of Dorian Gray
I didn't doubt that Ben Barnes would make a great Dorian but knew that (at least for me) no one would be close to the excellent George Sanders as Sir Henry "Harry" Wooton, the hedonistic and outspoken mentor who inevitably leads to Dorian's downfall.
However, I was very pleased with the modern retake, made more graphic for a modern audience of course, but still suspenseful and dark. Colin Firth did not disappoint me as Sir Harry also, not a patch on Sanders of course, but an admirable and believable job.
For those unfamiliar with Oscar Wilde's ONLY novel, it's a simple but great almost Faustian tale.
A young man of great beauty and charm wishes that a recently commissioned painting by his friend Basil Hallward, should age instead of himself, leaving him forever young and able to relish everything pleasurable in life.
In the original the wish is made in front of a statue of an Egyptian God cat, and Dorian is warned about making flippant wishes in it's company.
In this version (much like the book) Gray pledges to sell his soul or "nail it to the Devils alter" and soon thereafter the painting begins to exhibit signs of aging, where he does not.
This version is a little closer to the book, the initial love interest Sybil is an actress in a small theater performing Shakepeare, not a singer in an East end tavern (as Angela Lansbury portrayed in the original) and other aspects here are lifted almost word for word, from the book.
It's quite graphic of course (being 2009) - whereas the original black & white hinted at Mr Grays immoral behavior, this version gives it to you full in the face, but not in a gratuitous way, it adds weight to the character, as we watch his slow descent from innocence and purity to, debauchery and murder.
I won't give the movie away, for those who don't know it, but it's a great story.
To some the movie may be a little slow, but I loved the slow burn feel to the script and screenplay, little hints of the malice and cruelty that have warped Dorians soul in the painting are hinted, or creepily glimpsed, without giving away the climax of the movie.

I am however curious as to why this has not had a US release? There is only in fact a TBA on a release date if you research it. That's a shame, considering the amount of movies released here, a film of this quality with an exceptional cast should not have been overlooked.

Overall I gave 4 stars, for a great remake. Even if a remake wasn't needed.

2009 saw another film version of Oscar Wilde's tale of horror, originally titled "The Picture of Dorian Gray." This UK film was more about Dorian than his infamous portrait.

If you read the story you got the basic idea: Dorian (Ben Barnes) arrives in London, a naive, rich boy who inherits a large house complete with servants. But there are two men who talk to Dorian who greatly influence him: one, artist Basil, who paints the portrait and Harry (played by Colin Firth) who corrupts him.

A mild oath that the painting should remain as youthful as Dorian becomes mystical when he states he would "nail my soul to the devil's door."

The film proceeds to show us the destruction of Dorian -- a new love quickly fades when he begins to cheat on her (Cybil Vane, played by Rebecca Hall) -- and her fate is tied to her brother, which brother proceeds to stalk Dorian for several decades! This part of the film felt rushed with the girl's suicide and the brother hunting Dorian -- not very enthusiastically.

No, the film was concentrating on Dorian rather than the enemies he was making. Finally he find an intellectual equal with his friend Henry's daughter and comes to realize where the "stench" of his soul is coming from.

The painting itself was a bit much -- the special effects with the creepy thing coming partially out of the paiting was a bit silly. Why not just have the painting subtly change instead?

Despite these quibbles, the acting was top notch -- you came to believe Dorian and little sympathy for him as he went off the deep end, screwing society women and making out with a few men as well -- and a horrific murder or two!

Colin Firth (Oscar winner of last year's "The King's Speech") was the philosophical debaucher, with tidbits like: "Life is a moment, makit it burn always with the hardest flame." But his encouragement for Dorian to be immoral and cast away his ethics resulted in a pretty bad end.

Lesson learned: Yeah, make your life a moment but combine your freedom of action with some moral bindings and give some purpose to your life. Dorian's "flame", having no purpose, burned out rather quickly.

Recommended.

Cast & Crew:

Director:
Oliver Parker
Writers:
Oscar Wilde (novel), Toby Finlay (screenplay)
Stars:
Ben Barnes, Colin Firth and Rebecca Hall

Classics:

The Picture of Dorian Gray: An Annotated, Uncensored Edition
The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Oscar Wilde Collection (The Importance of Being Earnest / The Picture of Dorian Gray / An Ideal Husband / Lady Windermere's Fan)

Wow! a little masterpiece indeed! I never had a single expectation from the film initially as I wasn't really familiar with the novel, somehow the film managed to surprise me almost every single moment, I realized it was one of those films that completely grabs you mentally and all you care about, are the characters. Well, what makes the film a gem? a fantastic direction from Oliver Parker and an outstanding performance from the lead guy Ben Barnes, Barnes manages to steal the show quite easily right from the very start, his performance as 'Dorian' can be said 'Impeccable' in just a word, all you can think is that he was simply destined to play 'Dorian Gray', ever bit of his emotion, from his innocence, his youthful lust to his inner psychological fears will grab your soul. The rest of the cast is brilliant and above all Colin Firth is terrific, a similarly good performance by Ben Affleck. A dark atmosphere to the rich character development is what you will find here. A really dark, erotic and emotional journey of a man will definitely have you thinking. Have a look! you won't be disappointed.

This movie was on the weekend deals for $0.99 and I decided to take a chance on it. I am very glad I did, because this movie was an incredible tale.

For some reason the title jumped out at me, but I didn't understand why at first. When I was a child, I had actually heard about this story, about the man who lives forever young, but his age and blackness is reflected in his painting. Once I started reading the other reviews, I instantly remembered this tale from long ago, and got pretty excited to watch it.

I promptly rented it and downloaded it for viewing on my PC. (See note on this at bottom.)

I really enjoyed all of the main characters performances, I was sucked in to this world from the very beginning. This movie excels at just crafting a gripping story and immersing you in it.

Anyways, a short synopsis; Dorian Gray inherits what appears to be a large fortune and estate from his deceased father. He travels to claim it and meets a man that pushes him in to living a life of debauchery and pleasure. After putting up some mild resistance, he finally succumbs to the temptations. A painter sees something in him and wants to paint his portrait. Dorian poses for him, and whilst conversing with his friend and the painter, his friend unwittingly proposes a very dire question with perilous consequences to Dorian. Dorian basically trades his soul for eternal youth, but as stated above, all wounds, aging, and soul marring blackness is reflected dynamically in his painting, which he then hides and obsesses over, and guards it lethally.

So the story unfolds, and I want to write more but don't want to spoil more than necessary to get you interested in the film!

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P.S. As a side note, I had problems viewing this film in the Amazon Unbox player for the first time ever. I would get sound but no picture. Searching help was of no assistance. Anyways, after fiddling around, I got it to work. If you're having problems too... try this.

1) Click "Settings" near the upper right corner of the Unbox player.
2) Click on "Preferences..."
3) Click the "Advanced" button near the bottom right corner of the Preferences screen.
4) Remove checkmarks from "Use DirectX Video Acceleration" & "Use YUV Mode".

After doing this, the movie played fine. Not sure why, don't forget to check them back on for your next movie.