Dorian Gray (2009/NEM/National Entertainment Media Blu-ray)
Picture: B- Sound: B Extras: B- Film: B-
Oscar Wilde wrote his
classic book The Picture Of
Dorian Gray back in 1890 and it is as significant a Horror
genre work as Shelley’s Frankenstein or Stoker’s Dracula,
yet the work has become somewhat lost on the public and not adapted as
regularly if at all. Part of this comes
from a combination of ignorance and homophobia, as well as many not wanting to
deal with what it says about youth, mortality and aging. It has been a long time since a good
adaptation of the book was made, but finally, Director Oliver Parker (An Ideal Husband, Fade To Black) has delivered an adaptation that is the best in at
least a generation, simply entitled Dorian
Gray (2009).
Ben Barnes (in a breakthrough role) is the title character
whose portrait painting is more than just a decoration, but the painter Basil
Hallward (Ben Chaplin of The New World,
Remains Of The Day, Thin Red Line) has a deeper interest in
just a commission for a job well done.
This leads Basil to introduce Dorian to Lord Henry Wooton (Colin Firth
of A Single Man) who loves and
celebrates nothing but beauty, pleasure and fun, the pleasure principle in full
swing. As Gray indulges himself, his picture
starts to change and that is only the beginning.
That was a shocking proposition to some at the time the
book first arrived and Parker with Writer Toby Finlay have changed a few
things, but not gone overboard like too many adaptations have (The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen
feature film (not the graphic novel comic) made him into a cardboard
superhero!) and recaptured the richness, energy, subtle terror and horror of
the original work. Too many pretentious
recent versions were trying to be about the author in embarrassing ways or even
the AIDS crisis, resulting in some of the most inept adaptations well ever see. This versions respects the work and can go a
few rounds with any recent adaptation of a literary Horror classic in the last
20 years.
Made at the legendary Ealing Studios, it is stunning that
this barely received a theatrical release, yet is part of a growing list of
solid British films (like Cemetery
Junction, Pirate Radio and Harry Brown) that are some of the best
their country’s cinema has produced and yet, it is not given a proper release
in the U.S., but having a format like Blu-ray really brings home how terrific
these missed films are and in the case of this version of Dorian Gray, a big surprise.
Yes, the film has a few moments that do not work, but they
are few and minor; moments that could have been changed or even cut to improve
the film. With a great supporting cast
that includes Maryam d’Abo (The Living
Daylights), Caroline Goddall (Schindler’s
List, Cliffhanger), Rachel Hurd-Wood,
Emilia Fox, Rebecca Hall, Douglas Henshall and Emily Philips, it is a throwback
to what made the old Hammer films great without trying to be one of those
films, exceptional British casts that also made so many independent films,
anthology films and films by companies like Amicus so great. Dorian
Gray is a must for any serious Horror fan.
The 1080p 1.85 X 1 digital High Definition image is
impressive for most of the time, with only some softness and digital work that
cuts into the fine sets and locations holding back an otherwise solid transfer
with good color and detail, no matter how it is styled. Director of Photography Roger Pratt easily
delivers his best work since Gilliam’s 12
Monkeys (1995) creating a world of the past where all that happens is
possible. As palpable as From Hell (2001) and as period
authentic as the recent Wolfman
remake (2010), this is a nice return to form after so many slow dramas and
fantasy films. The DTS-HD MA (Master
Audio) lossless 5.1 mix is even better with a fine soundfield, superior
recording and fine score by Charlie Mole.
The combination makes for one of the best Horror titles on Blu-ray to
date and that includes some great releases.
Extras include stills,
a Blooper Reel, Deleted Scenes, Multiple Behind-The-Scenes Featurettes,
Making-Of featurette with extensive interviews and feature length audio
commentary track by Parker and Finlay.
For the record, MGM’s
1945 film version is considered one of the early best with Hurt Hatfield,
Angela Lansbury, Peter Lawford and Donna Reed, while the 1970s Italian indie
with Helmut Berger and Herbert Lom is considered the boldest and the Dan
Curtis-produced TV version with Shane Bryant, Nigel Davenport, Charles Aidman
and Brendan Dillon exceptionally effective.
Too few of the adaptations have made it to DVD, let alone Blu-ray and I
hope this new version causes a cascade of all of them. Wilde’s book is too significant to be left
behind and this new version is something to be very proud of.
-
Nicholas Sheffo
