Yikes! I picked this movie up to see some real British Favorites of mine like Jude Law, Ioan Gruffudd, Jennifer Ehle, and to get a glance at Orlando Bloom. I was horrified to see too much of the “goings on” of Oscar Wilde with my favorite Brit actors. I don’t recommend this film to those who are even a little bit guarded about what they watch. The movie may have been an accurate portrayal of Oscar Wilde’s sex life, but a bit too “showing” for me. The sexual scenes are too much whether the characters are homosexual or not. I felt like these scenes monopolized the film and that the movie was made more to shock people than to really portray the great writer–Oscar Wilde. I watched this movie with a group of my friends and all of us were not prepared to “see” the material given in this film, it just is not necessary. Leave your imagination at the door because there is no use for it–you cannot imagine much more than what is presented to you. It got so bad that I thought that I would just fast forward through the sex scenes, but then I realized that I was fast forwarding half the movie…time that could of been spent on meaningful dialogue or expressions of his artisic passion that the world reveres him for. Yes, we know that he was gay…point made! That is fine and it is accepted but why must it ALL be on film? There are more clever ways to film his life. I realize that my opinion is unpopular to whomever even cares to watch this movie, but it is hard for me to justify watching this film when every other scene is pornographic. I have to admit, however, that the actors portrayals were more than convincing…there was no holding back.

After reading the many glowing reviews on Amazon, I ordered this DVD immediately. Unfortunately, its excessive and gratuitous focus on Wilde’s homosexuality was a profound disappointment. Nudge, nudge. Know what I mean? Nudge, nudge. This production provides little context for the scope of Wilde’s life, accomplishments, and brilliant wit.

Serious Wilde fans would do better to watch Peter Egan’s enthralling portrayal in BBC’s exceptional series “Lillie”, about the life of Lillie Langtry. Wilde plays a prominent role throughout this production. Peter Egan portrays Wilde’s flamboyant cutting wit with brilliance that will spoil you.

May I also suggest Richard Ellmann’s mammoth 600-page Wilde biography? When you encounter some of the book’s tedious passages you can always make rude sucking noises as you read if you wish.

This is my first review and was inspired by anger.

http://www.johncregar.com

This movie was very well done. A subject that is totally human and very male, but has never been delt with logically buy governments in general and elected officials specifically. In my opinion it shouldn’t be an issue to be used as political gain for our greedy politicians. It reminds me of the way abortion is used for political gain when it’s totally a woman’s personal decision not subject to debate by anyone other than the woman with that particular decision to make for herself. With that said, I’m wondering what happened to his two beautiful boys and the long suffering wife? Did he take into consideration what would happen to them when he took up with the utterly selfish Bosie? Its nice to persue your own happiness, but make sure others close to you don’t have to pay the heavy price. On the lighter side, Jude has the cutest butt.