Dorian Gray

A few weeks ago i brought the book, The Picture Of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, I've never read any of his work before nor did I know much about him. When i started the book (i still haven't finished the book) i found it to be well written with some really interesting ideas. So when my girlfriend came round my place telling me there was a film she wanted to watch i was pleasantly surprised to find that she was talking about 2009 film adaptation Dorian Gray ( it was a pleasant surprise because of the usual filth she has me watching). So leaping at the chance to watch an interesting film rather than some soppy bloody "rom-com" that is neither romantic nor funny i got hold of a copy before she changed her mind. Basically the story is about a young man (funnily enough that'll be Dorian Gray) who arrives in London in the late 1800's, a rather naive young chap and is befriended by two gentlemen. Basil Hallward a talented artist and Lord Henry Wotton a charismatic man with an influential nature. Basil then paints a portrait of Dorian to capture his youth forever, when the painting is finished and the unvieling complete, Dorian admits tht he would give anything to remain as he looked in the picture forever, even his soul. Unkown to him though his flippant remark comes true and from that moment on any adverse effects of the hedonistic lifestyle Lord Wotton preaches transfer to the painting leaving Dorian a fresh faced young man. Alot more happens in the film but I really hate spoilers so i won't go into it in depth. While literay scholars may disagree with me entirely i think it is a story of consquence and an interesting look at a society that was far more ridgid than our own. Directed by Oliver Parker the film flows well i found and London took on the usual dark and dirty look that I have come to expect from films set around that time period. Ben Barnes as Dorian was spot on, he looked every bit as i imagined from the book and did really well with the conflicting aspects of the character (when he was truly a young man living the dream to an old more disillusioned Dorian), one line imparticular encapsulated this perfectly for me, while being questioned about his constant pursuit of pleasure by Wottons daughter Emily (played by Rebbeca Hall) Dorian replys, "there is a vast difference between pleasure and happiness" with such sorrow written over his face it is hard not to feel for the character. Colin Firth played Lord Henry Wotton well, always there was an air of smugness to the character and the way he showed the subtle delight he took in corrupting the young Dorian was perfect, just the right amount of joy and envy to keep you interested in the character progression. Other than that though I didn't find any great performances but everyone was good enough to keep the film going. There are many memorable moments and it should leave you with many things to think about. So if your tempted to watch it you should, after all "the only way to rid yourself of a temptation is to yeild to it".