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. 

Comments

[veronica-milvus.livejournal.com]

I watched it last night and thought it was very well done. Bosie was a sulky spoiled brat! He knew he was bringing down hell on the man he purported to love but he still could not stop himself from wanting revenge on his father.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Bosie was very damaged. I once knew a couple (dead now) who befriended him in his old age. They were very fond of him so he can't have been totally obnoxious.