Brilliant, egocentric and completely unique, Oscar Wilde (Stephen Fry) defied convention on almost every level. While coming to terms with his newfound sexual identity, he also experienced his most creative period, resulting in some of his best-known works. As his literary career flourished, the self-realization of his homosexuality caused Wilde enormous torment as he juggled marriage, fatherhoodand responsibility with his obsessive love for Lord Alfred Douglas (Jude Law). It is this passionate and stormy relationship which consumed and ultimately destroyed him. Featuring a brilliant supporting cast including Jennifer Ehle, Academy Award-Winner Vanessa Redgrave and Tom Wilkinson as Wilde’s chief adversary, the Marquis of Queensbury.
At the very peak of his fame, after his play “The Importance of Being Earnest” opened to wild success in 1895, Wilde (Stephen Fry) was convicted of “gross indecency” and spent his few remaining years in prison or decline. A century later, his reputation, personal and professional, could not stand higher, and this new biopic joins two current stage productions in celebrating his rise, fall and immortality. Stephen Fry brings a depth and gentleness to the role that says what can be said about Oscar Wilde: that he was a funny and gifted idealist in a society that valued hypocrisy above honesty. – Roger Ebert
Starring Stephen Fry, Jude Law, Vanessa Redgrave and Jennifer Ehle.