Dorian Gray DVD Movie Review
Dorian Gray DVD Movie Review
Dr. Frankenstein meets Patrick Bateman
|
As I was watching the behind the scenes interviews on the DVD of the latest cinematic telling of Oscar Wilde's classic 1890 novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, I was struck by an analogy made by first time screenwriter Toby Finlay: He said the tale is inherently similar to American Psycho. I never would have thought of that, but he is absolutely right — what's more, he is talented enough to subtly exploit those universal themes to make this film not only true to the original story but to make it feel contemporary for modern viewers.
While we're cracking open classics, you can't help but think of Dr. Frankenstein's delight in creating his Monster when you watch Colin Firth's masterful portrayal of Lord Henry Wotton — the envious, ageing dandy who sets vain young Dorian (Ben Barnes) on the path to enlightened darkness — unfold. Firth is one of our best actors working and although it's impossible to extinguish the memory of the definitive Wotton (that'd be George Sanders in the 1945 version), his is a close second.
When it comes to Dorian Gray himself, that is a very difficult role to cast. Wait… Do you know the story? Sure you do. But it's about more than just a forever-young philanderer who has a sin-soaking portrait of himself hidden in his attic. It's also about human nature, sexuality, class, beauty, ruination, trust and betrayal. Gray himself was described in Wilde's fantastic novel as being not only good looking but powerfully, almost preternaturally, magnetic. (Do yourself a favor and read the novel online, if you haven't done so already) It's not an easy role to cast.
Even though the movie wasn't great, I thought Stuart Townsend in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was a good choice to play the character. I understand Josh Duhamel played Dorian Gray a few years back in a version I haven't seen; I like Duhamel, but he's too cute and lightweight. I wasn't sure about the casting of Barnes until how I saw how excellent he was in Easy Virtue (a period comedy of manners, well worth a look if you like this sort of thing). Barnes does not have the smoldering intensity or gravitas to be the definitive Dorian but I have to say, he held his own and I bought it.
The director of Dorian Gray, Oliver Parker, has brought us two other very good Wilde adaptations in An Ideal Husband and The Importance of Being Ernest. He knows and understands Wilde's voice and tone — the collaboration with Finlay is a good one. Wilde's crisply cruel and wickedly witty bon mots are all very much in evidence; the homoeroticism and opiate abuse isn't shied from; and each character has his due throughout the film. The horror and suspense elements are played up nicely, with a couple of very gory death scenes sure to satisfy genre fans.
All the accoutrement are in evidence: vivid Victorian 19th century costuming, lovely sets and luscious locations. Each is bolstered by a subtle, seductive score and gorgeous cinematography (Roger Pratt).
Which is not to say the paint isn't peeling here and there… The CGI effects are pretty lousy. Many of them — mainly those involving the evil, decaying painted portrait — yanked me right out of the movie. I also felt the story dragged a little here and there, especially towards the end. There is a romance angle between Wotton's daughter and Dorian that just should not have been. The movie is a good 15 minutes too long.
Still, I'm not complaining: The Picture of Dorian Gray is one of my favorite books of all time, I love the story no matter what the incarnation, and I am happy there's a new movie that's so well-acted and skillfully presented. (Furthermore, I think my fellow fans of The Tudors, which also draws subtle parallels between celebrity and the "rock star" lifestyle even before there were those things as such, will adore this.)
The behind the scenes featurettes are only so-so. The gag reel is terrible. As for the featurette, it is interesting to hear each of the actors (including Ben Chaplin who plays the artist; Rachel Hurd Wood who plays Dorian's ill-fated lover; and Caroline Goodall as Lady Radley) talk about not only their roles, but the book and what they remember about the first time they read it. Barnes didn't have an awful lot to say, but Firth's insights make up for that. My favorite person to listen to was definitely Finlay — can't wait to see what he does next.
= = =
Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson
Latest User Comments: