Fans of mystical thrillers must have heard of the movie "Dorian Gray" by Oliver Parker. The main roles in the film were played by famous actors. "Dorian Gray" was a breakthrough in the career of young actress Rachel Hard-Wood. Other stars in the film: Colin Firth, Ben Barnes and Fiona Shaw.
Production
Work on the painting began in 2008. Oliver Parker took up the project, previously engaged in the film adaptation of Shakespeare's works. In June 2008, the casting of the film "Dorian Gray" ended. Actors and roles were approved, and the filming process began. Filming took place in London and its environs and ended in October of that year.
Cast
The role of Dorian Gray was played by the young British actor Ben Barnes, the star of the fantastic film "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" and the adventure fantasy Matthew Vaughn "Stardust".
The roles of Henry Wotton, the mentor of Dorian, and his sweetheart Sibylla were performed by Colin Firth and Rachel Hard-Wood - famous Hollywood actors. "Dorian Gray" has become a significant film in their career. Colin Firth's avid movie fans know from the films "Pride and Prejudice", "Shakespeare in Love", "Girl with a Pearl Earring". Rachel Hard-Wood gained popularity thanks to the horror "Solomon Kane" Michael Basset and the thriller "Perfumer" Tom Tykver.
Ben Chaplin played Basil Hallward, a talented artist who, amazed by the youth and beauty of Dorian, paints his portrait. A small role was played by Fiona Shaw, the star of the Harry Potter films. Rebecca Hall, who performed the role of the protagonist’s last love, is another star in Dorian Gray. The actors made the film a powerful mystical thriller, from which it is difficult to tear themselves away thanks to their game. Theater actress Emilia Fox and aspiring actor Max Irons also received small roles in the film.
Plot
Young naive guy Dorian Gray moves to London from the province. He meets the artist Basil Hallward, who, wanting to forever capture the unusual beauty of a young man, undertook to paint his portrait. Another acquaintance of Dorian, Lord Henry Wotton, a supporter of a free lifestyle, captivates the guy with his subtle mind and unusual cynicism. Gradually, Dorian was imbued with the ideas of Lord Wotton, and the main goal of his life was the search for pleasures.
Seeing his own portrait, the young man realizes that he is ready for anything in order to remain as attractive forever. But Dorian's dream mysteriously comes true, and the payment for it is his soul.
Plot features
Fans of Oscar Wilde's work should not count on a detailed adaptation of English classics. Although the plot is based on the novel "Dorian Gray", many of the details, characters and storylines are a figment of the fantasy of screenwriter Toby Finlay. For example, there was no love line between Dorian Gray and Emily Wotton in the original, the very ending of the picture was slightly changed.
If in the novel "Portrait of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde, the emphasis was on the parable itself, the creators brought action and entertainment to the film, and drama - talented actors. "Dorian Gray" became the first psychological thriller in the career of Rachel Hard-Wood.
Reviews
Despite the fact that the leading roles were played by famous actors, "Dorian Gray" did not win the approval of critics. The reviews were mixed. Many critics noted that the director too deviated from the original source, and this did not benefit the picture. However, everyone noted that the undoubted plus of the film was well-chosen actors.
"Dorian Gray" has collected at the box office a little more than $ 22 million, and not least thanks to the participation in the film of famous Hollywood stars. The picture was not awarded any awards.