Review by John Delia
Many of you know the name Oscar Wilde, especially for poetry and plays including “The Importance of Being Earnest†and “The Picture of Dorian Grayâ€. But, unless you paid attention in College Lit or are a connoisseur of the Irishman’s works and life it’s likely you missed the ordeal of his final years. With the release of The Happy Prince, this film should open a lot of dialogue about the man who lived in the glorious 1800’s.
The film opens with a reading of a tome to two children as they lay in bed ready for sleep and to close their eyes. It’s a very humble way to present the great poet and playwright during his final years. Looking back we find Oscar Wilde (Rupert Everett) on his death bed in Paris as he thinks back on his life of once being the most famous man in England. It’s not the best of times for him and it’s about to get worse when he reveals his gay side for which the government at the time made it a crime.
Losing his wealth, his wife Constance (Emily Watson), friends, and getting beaten while ridiculed, the movie plays out while the tome about a little bird who stays behind from his flock’s departure to their yearly migration. Flying up to the top of a roof the bird sits by a statue of The Happy Prince. Writer, Director and Star of the film Rupert Everett (My Best Friend’s Wedding) helms his film with a satisfying result. He delivers a nice period costume piece with all the glory that was Paris, the bistros of London, the landscapes of the countryside, and the many 17th century estates, urban ally’s and opulent interiors. The story is a director’s dream depicting such a colorful person who lived a flamboyant life mixed with some sidebars of grief and anxiety.
Everett gives a stellar performance as Oscar Wilde the man who was an Icon during the late 18th Century. As real as life, his Wilde often gives a show for a few tuppence or another drink of Absinthe. His portrayal of the aristocrat gets so arrogant at times however, that there’s a loss of sentiment for the character. But Everett rebounds by the next scene. Look for a possible nomination for his efforts at the Golden Globes and certainly BAFTA.
The Happy Prince has been rated R by the MPAA for sexual content, graphic nudity, language and brief drug use. The film plays out in the French, Italian and English language with English subtitles where needed.
Editorial side note: Along with 75,000 other men convicted of homosexuality Oscar Wilde was pardoned in 2017 a hindered and seventeen years after his death.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good biography and production. (4 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Tom Wilkinson, Colin Morgan, Anna Chancellor, Edwin Thomas, Benjamin Voisin Emily Watson, Antonio Spagnuolo, Mateo Salamone, Beatrice Dalle, Ronald Pickup
Directed and written by: Rupert Everett
Genre: Drama, Biography
MPAA Rating: Rated R for sexual content, graphic nudity, language and brief drug use
Running Time: 1 hr. 45 min.
Opening Date: November 2, 2018
Distributed by: Sony Classics
Released in: Standard