Wilde Review

Stephen Fry feels he was born to play the role of Oscar Wilde on screen and in Wilde, the latest version of the tormented writer`s life, which opens nationally on January the 15th, it certainly looks like it. From the film`s beginnings in the Wild West of America late last century where Oscar talks to miners about Socratic ideals, through his marriage to Constance - Jennifer Ehle - his fathering two sons and the discovery of his homosexuality Fry is truly excellent; but when he meets Lord Alfred Douglas - Jude Law - known as Bosie, then the power really kicks in to Fry`s performance, and we can understand this man at the mercy of his devotion to beauty and love... Jude Law`s performance gives such great insight into this spoiled brat of a man whose life and actions are dominated by his overbearing father, the Marquis of Queensbury, played so well by Tom Wilkinson. Michael Sheen is excellent as Wilde`s faithful friend Robbie Ross, Vanessa Redgrave imposing as his mother, Jennifer Ehle lovely and sympathetic as Constance. This is such a handsome and revealing film. The director was Brian Gilbert and it`s certainly streets ahead of his previous period film Tom and Viv. The film is based on Richard Ellman`s acclaimed biography, the excellent screenplay by Julian Mitchell. The cinematography and the production and costume design all contribute to Wilde looking much more resplendent than you would credit from its budget. But really with Wilde, it`s the story of the man, and such a moving story it is, that reaches out to you with this film.