The Picture of Dorian Gray
by Glenn Jordan
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Actor: Charles Aidman, Fionnula Flanagan, Linda Kelsey, Nigel Davenport, Shane BriantDirector: Glenn Jordan
Brand: MPI Home Video
Cinematographer: Ben Colman
Editor: Dennis Virkler
Producer: Dan Curtis
Producer: Tim Steele
Writer: John Tomerlin
Writer: Oscar Wilde
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 111 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-08-27
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Mpi Home Video
Product features:
- In Victorian England, young aristocrat Dorian Gray (Shane Briant) meet Sir Harry Wotton (Nigel Davenport and is introduced to London s society circuit and a decadent world of self-indulgience. Doruan sinks further into a cruel, hedonistic existence as Sir Harry s unscrupulous influence over him grows. While Dorian s appearance remains youthful, he discovers that his portrait ages and takes on hide
DVD Reviews of The Picture of Dorian Gray
DVD Review: The "straightening up" of Dorian Gray
Summary: 2 Stars
Leaving aside audio issues, which are there, not imagined, this adaptation of Oscar Wilde's novella leaves many other things to be desired.
Not only does the screenplay and eerie soundtrack lend an ominous, "Dark Shadows" feel to the proceedings, there has been a concerted effort to downplay the homo-erotic subtext of Wilde's work. Gray is transformed into a Jack-the-Ripperesque, Jeckel and Hyde figure, preying on women, living the life of a rock-star or playboy. Shane Briant does have a bit of a Freddie Mercury/David Bowie quality about him, but any suggestion that he might be involved with other men is minimized to a few lingering glances and innuendo.
Without Wilde's subtext, some plot points and characters no longer make sense. Here Sybil kills herself because Gray deflowers her and then abandons her -- in the text it is a split over aesthetics in a much more profound and psychological encounter. This Gray is simply an insensitive cad, not worthy of the picture becoming so twisted. Wilde's Gray is a self-consumed aesthete who tires of people and throws them aside when he becomes disillusioned. This is far more damning to one's soul.
The tell-tale test for me was the handling of Alan Campbell. Compare this rendering with that of the BBC version just three years later. Again this one doesn't make much sense. Nor does the relationship with Beatrice, again I feel as an attempt to "straighten up" Dorian.
Certainly this production is more ambitious than the BBC version, including remote shots and crowd scenes, but what good are production values when the script is fatally flawed and the mood is reduced to melodramatic horror.
Watch the BBC version with John Gielgud and the far superior Peter Firth. Not only is that cast more attractive and has a better grasp of the work, it's to be chosen primarily if you want to come anywhere near Wilde's spirit and intention.
Description of The Picture of Dorian Gray
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