England,
1998, 116 min
Shown in 1998
CREDITS
- dir
-
Brian Gilbert
- prod
-
Marc Samuelson, Peter Samuelson
- scr
-
Julian Mitchell
- cam
-
Martin Fuhrer
- editor
-
Michael Bradsell
- cast
-
Stephen Fry, Jude Law, Tom Wilkinson, Vanessa Redgrave, Jennifer Ehle, Gemma Jones, Judy Parfitt, Michael Sheen, Zoë Wanamaker
- source
-
Sony Pictures Classics, 550 Madison Avenue, 8th floor, New York, NY 10022. FAX: 212-833-7911. WORLD SALES- Samuelson Entertainment, 10401 Wylon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90024 2529. FAX: 310-208-2809. WEBSITE: www.oscarwilde.com
- premiere
-
North American Premiere
-
COMMENTS
Opening Night film, with Brian Gilbert, Tom Wilkinson and Stephen Fry in attendance.
OTHER
A candid and illuminating portrait of master wit and legendary playwright Oscar Wilde, Wilde captures perfectly the intense intelligence, racking emotional struggles and repressive (and repressed?) Victorian society that created the framework for his genius—and his tragedy. Taking as its focus Wilde’s tumultuous, lovestruck relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas (Jude Law, Gattaca), or “Bosie” as Wilde fondly called him, the film addresses Wilde’s homosexuality with uncompromising honesty and objectivity. Given equal weight is Wilde’s marriage to Constance (Jennifer Ehle, Pride and Prejudice), which produced two sons. We see clearly Wilde’s immense love for his family and his equally intense devotion to his art—which will ultimately ruin him. We see him trolling for the young rent boys who inspire his writing—and his passion. We see the tragic and devastating conflicts produced by his obsessive love for Bosie. Already rumors abound that Stephen Fry’s career-defining performance as Oscar Wilde is worthy of both Oscars: the eponymous author and the best actor’s prize. Wilde to the core, Fry’s performance is complex and authoritative, but you never see the wheels spinning behind his soft, knowing face. Brian Gilbert’s strong, steady direction encases the story in a nicely realized Victorian aesthetic that plays on several levels with and against Wilde’s satiric bent. Gracefully shot in beautiful autumnal colors, absorbing and lovely, this is a literate and engaging treat.
—Nick Tangborn
FACTOID #343
Director Sally Potter was the first person to be honored with the Festival’s Satyajit Ray Award. In 1993 she was interviewed onstage and her new film Orlando was screened. In 2005, she turned the tables by interviewing Peter J. Owens Award recipient Joan Allen.
