In 1895, Oscar Wilde (Everett) is the most famous man in England. So his conviction on homosexuality charges is a major scandal. After two years in prison, he heads for France with friends Reggie and Robbie (Firth and Thomas). But he can't get young Bosie (Morgan) out of his head, and runs off with him to Italy. This is the last straw for his patient wife Constance (Watson), who cuts him off financially. Now in poverty, Oscar moves to Paris, where he reunites with Robbie, who helps him when he falls ill after an injury.

Everett's layered approach to filmmaking overcomes what's essentially a limited narrative. The film basically traces Wilde's slow, painful winding down as he loses his reputation, home, family, friends, wealth and health. It's not a particularly easy journey to take, but Everett continually finds both humour and artistry, revealing bon vivant attitudes in snappy conversations between people who are obsessed with beauty. And he cleverly weaves in Wilde's eponymous fairy tale throughout the narrative.

This also gives Everett a chance to shine as an actor, contorting his own physicality with a hulking body shape and jowly face. But in his eyes, there's plenty of spark. In his mid-40s, Wilde should be at his prime, but he's been harshly battered by society and people, all of whom should adore him, and he knows it. As his most loyal friends, Firth and Thomas have some lovely scenes of their own, as does Morgan as the more prickly Bosie. And in flickering side scenes, Watson is superb as always, even though Constance's story seems kind of wedged in here.

Meanwhile, every frame is a striking combination of thematic richness and luxuriant design, accompanied by a glorious Gabriel Yared score. It's the story of one of the most shameful moments in British history, and it would take some 70 years before they learned to stop destroying their brightest and best (see also The Imitation Game). And most movingly, Everett reminds us that, even as his life was waning, Wilde continued to offer uncanny observations on the human spirit.

themes, language, violence

27.Mar.18