The Movie of Dorian Gray

March 21, 2010 from book to film No Comments

If you didn’t catch Dorian Gray at the cinema, but are going to pick it up from Tesco now it’s out on DVD, here’s my advice:

Don’t.

As many Oscar Wilde lovers will know, one of the best things about his only novel is the subtlety and insinuation; the things that you don’t see, but hear tales of and hints of. The relationship between Basil and Dorian that is artistic, bizarre and ultimately fatal. Basil’s awe and wonderment of Dorian, that he looks to him as a being of perfection, almost as a deity or shrine, but without the obsession.

There is none of that. None.

No subtlety, no suggestions, and Basil and Dorian’s relationship actually made myself and three friends burst out laughing (completely unintentionally) at one point in the cinema. Whoops.

Colin Firth and Ben Barnes were, as always, brilliant – but the characters were not as Mr Wilde intended (or so I believe).

Oh yes, and the painting. Now, unless you pictured the painting to be crawling with maggots, and actually reach out of the canvas to touch Dorian, you probably won’t like it.

And if you have read the novel, and liked the film – shame on you.

Book or Movie

February 13, 2009 from book to film No Comments

So many great books have been turned into movies, which people love. But more often than not the people who have read the book before seeing the movie, are a little disappointed by the film. When you read a book you are able to imagine the characters, and the scenery, you picture it how you would like it to be, how you think it should be. When you see the film you see it how someone else pictures it to be and it can ruin the whole film for some.

Most times huge parts of the story are changed when the book is turned into a film. Either big parts are missed out or new parts are added. The story can be nothing like it is in the book. I know myself that whenever I read a great book, and later on the film is released, I can’t wait to see the film, but I usually leave the cinema feeling a little deflated! It’s just not the way it should be, the main character isn’t nearly as good looking as he should be, or they get the accent all wrong or they completely change the plot. Maybe next time I will try watching the movie first and then read the book!