The Happy Prince

Rupert Everett was born to play Oscar Wilde, at least the older Wilde, (Everett is now 59). I'd already seen him play Wilde on stage, magnificently, in David Hare's "The Judas Kiss"; now he has written and directed the film "The Happy Prince" which deals in large part, (it's mostly told in flashback), with the period after his release from Reading Gaol. He, of course, takes on the role of Wilde once again and gives the kind of performance that should get him an Oscar of a different kind.

This is no vanity project but one full of passion and love of his subject. He gives us an Oscar that is vain, glorious and in the throes of the most terrible pain; this is an Oscar warts and all. He dominates every frame of the picture but has also assembled a superb supporting cast. Both Colin Morgan as Bosie and Edwin Thomas as Robbie Ross are splendid but so too are Emily Watson as Constance, Colin Firth as Reggie Turner, John Standing as his doctor and Tom Wilkinson as the priest who gives him the last rites. These may amount to nothing more than cameos but what glorious cameos they are. This is an actor's piece and no mistake.

However, for a work that is primarily literary and for a first-time director Everett also displays a very keen visual eye. This is a handsome period piece but far from a stuffy one. Everett manages to capture the flavour of Oscar's rise and fall beautifully. Here is a film that is heartbreakingly sad and strangely uplifting at the same time, a real testament to Wilde's genius, (it's certainly the best Wilde movie to date), and one of the best LGBT-themed films of recent times. Unmissable.

Sorry to dampen your spirits. I wanted to like this film a lot but it fails to excite. Fails to ignite and in the end feels like a muddled wet blanket excuse for a movie making experience. Hey, the scenery, the camera work and attention to detail is great. Very evocative. The actual story and editing is less so. It strikes me as the type of film a real enthusiast for Oscar Wilde would make as a homage to the man and then struggle through heaps of revisions and funding cuts and criticism from various studios to get it made and then at the end - prove that the critics were right. It's not very good because the writer's vision splendid didn't really cut through or know what it sought to portray except to say - "I love Oscar Wilde!" Because in the end, we as passive viewers don't really care about Oscar at all. Towards the end of the film, I turned to my wife and whispered to her that this film despite its best impulses, actually damns Oscar Wilde as a self indulgent narcissist. A prat by sheer accident. I don't think that was the intention of the film-makers! She agreed. No real insight to the creative spirit of the man and she lost interest and went to bed. The trailer looked terrific but the movie despite it's best endeavours to immortalise the man - actually makes you lose all sympathy for him and strangely you feel unmoved by his predicament at the end.

This was an absorbing tale largely because I hadn't a clue about Wilde's last days. The acting was excellent, each actor delivering a completely believable naturalistic turn. Despite the great support acting if the lead, Rupert Everett ( almost unrecognisable) hadn't been so completely absorbing it could have been dire. He was remarkable, managing the multiple tones and moods Wilde goes through. A tale of sadness and joy and redemption. Such an interesting movie.

If you are an admirer of Rupert Everett, you must see this film. if you are one of admirers of Oscar Wilde , you must see this film. I admit, I am both. Oscar Wilde was one of familiar names across my childhood for his tales. at first moment, I saw the title of film and the suggestion than it represents an adaptation of the tale with same title was the first temptation. Rupert Everett was a discover from the "90 's . and one who I admire role by role. so, ambiguous expectations , tensioned in part. from the actor. but, more, from the director. and "The Happy Prince" was the perfect answer to each of expectations. I saw it with not real comfortable feelings. because the adaptations of Oscar Wilde life are many and, for me,Stephen Fry was the ideal Oscar Wilde. I discovered the film after I was read the last lines of Peter Ackroyd "The last testament of Oscar Wilde". and I discovered seeng the film not only the images of book, but the subtle and precise and seductive force of Rupert Everett talent, not exactly a revelation but a clear win in a not comfortable battle. I discovered the traits of Constance Hollande in the fine and nuanced and wise performance of Emily Watson. and a Bossie who give to me confirmation about the art of Colin Morgan. after its end, an only thought - the director could be better. the lead actor did an admirable work. and the cinematography is real great. so, "The Happy Prince".

I saw it as a confession of Rupert Everett. And, in high measure, this gives to "The Happy Prince" the status of admirable work. Everett is Oscar Wilde scene by scene, word by word, in a personal, impressive manner. And he has the genius to propose the chance to each actor to give his the best. Melancholy and the salted air and the traits of fall are the virtues and marks of this so special film , easy to be criticize for so many reasons, so far by the idol Oscar Wilde but giving the essence of a life and society, being melancholic and showing the vulnerabilities under microscope and, in essence being not what you expect but the fair confession of a great actor and not bad director.