Wilde Revisited

[poliphilo]

I still think Stephen Fry's performance is underpowered, but I like the movie a whole lot better on a second viewing. This is perhaps the first version of the story to show Queensbury (hooray for Tom Wilkinson!) as something more than just a monster of bigotry and rage. A key scene is the one in which Bosie arranges for Wilde and his Father to dine together. Wilde is charming and Queensbury unwinds. They find common ground; they are both of them performers, unconventional men who like to shock. Later, Wilde, who has been shamelessly neglecting his wife and family, accuses Queensbury of doing the same. Why, they are virtually twins; Caliban and Caliban's reflection.