An interview with Stephen Fry about his role in Brian Gilbert’s film Wilde
We follow Wilde (Stephen Fry), the film’s eponymous lead, from midway through his life. It ‘s not a film that shows us where he came from and how he got to where he is, but a film that explores the adult Oscar Wilde’s relationships with his wife, children, lovers and specifically his romantic involvement with his long term lover Lord Alfred ‘Bosie’ Douglas (Jude Law).
It is entertaining, informative and essentially true to life, yet I found this film to be superficial; never really getting underneath Wilde’s skin or exploring who he was as a man. We are shown the more sordid details of Wilde’s life, and despite the graphic nature of the scenes between Wilde and Bosie, they are quite sweet and tender. There is also a focus on that society’s views towards and treatment of homosexuals, which result in Wilde’s imprisonment.
Stephen Fry is, of course, wonderful as Wilde and it is Fry who really makes this film work. As well as his uncanny resemblance to Oscar Wilde, it is his gentle and sympathetic approach to the character and his story that affects the viewer and I would recommend this film for Fry’s casting, if for nothing else.
go here for details of the big screening
Becca Heaton
Becca Heaton has a degree in film Studies and is Beat’s resident film reviewer.
The film premiered at the 1997 Venice Film Festival and was the opening night selection at the 1998 San Francisco International Film Festival.
Stephen Fry is on Twitter @stephenfry
and more on him is available here, on The New Adventures of Stephen Fry
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