Synopsis
The story of Oscar Wilde, genius, poet, playwright and the First Modern Man. The self-realisation of his homosexuality caused Wilde enormous torment as he juggled marriage, fatherhood and responsibility with his obsessive love for Lord Alfred Douglas.
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Cast
- Stephen FryOscar Wilde
- Jude LawLord Alfred 'Bosie' Douglas
- Vanessa RedgraveLady Speranza Wilde
- Jennifer EhleConstance Lloyd Wilde
- Gemma JonesLady Queensberry
- Judy ParfittLady Mount-Temple
- Michael SheenRobbie Ross
- Zoë WanamakerAda Leverson 'Sphinx'
- Tom WilkinsonMarquess of Queensberry
- Ioan GruffuddJohn Gray
Recommendations
- 88
Chicago Sun-Times
Stephen Fry brings a depth and gentleness to the role that says what can be said about Oscar Wilde: that he was a funny and gifted idealist in a society that valued hypocrisy above honesty. - 80
Time Out
As Wilde, descending from would-be-doting husband and father to follower of his own 'nature', and finally ruined and disgraced martyr on the tree of English hypocrisy, Fry is utterly convincing. - 80
Variety
Toplining British comedian/wit Stephen Fry in a once-in-a-lifetime role as the brilliant, acerbic playwright, and mounted with a care and affection in all departments that squeezes the most from its $10 million budget, movie is a tony biopic that manages to combine an upfront portrayal of the scribe's gayness with an often moving examination of his broader emotions and artistic ideals. - 78
Austin Chronicle
What's most memorable about Wilde is Fry's near-perfect encapsulation of the artist. It's a performance equal to the legend it portrays. - 75
ReelViews
Ultimately, while Wilde lacks the depth and substance of the best biographical features, it's nevertheless a strong enough contender to deserve a trip to the local theater. - 75
San Francisco Chronicle
While Wilde captures its subject's singular charm, it ultimately doesn't do justice to his complexity. - 75
Boston Globe
Stylish, sad, opulent, brilliant, and clear-eyed, Wilde does justice to its complex subject. It should stand as the definitive biofilm for years to come. [05 Jun 1998, p.D6] - 60
BBC
It's not a perfect film because it does take quite a while to bring you into the characters' lives and engage you in their fate but when that becomes ominously clear, you're hooked.
