Wilde

Wilde - After watching this one the main thing on my mind was "I want to get C-33 tattooed on my back to show my solidarity with my brother, Oscar Wilde." It's hard for most anyone who doesn't fall into the "God Hates Fags" crowd to watch a movie like this and find persecution of private, consensual sexual acts between adults, let alone love and friendship, totally reprehensible. And for it to happen to such a thoughtful, caring, feeling individual and brilliant artist, it's all that much more heartbreaking.

This movie was fun, funny, moving, and enjoyable but I felt that maybe it portrayed Wilde's last years with too light of a hand. Maybe the makers didn't want to totally depress the viewer, but my reading of what actually happened to Wilde, his family, and those he loved and cared about (and those that returned his favors) is much grimmer than what is shown. Some might argue that this decreases the movie's powerful message - that persecution of sexual minorities is morally wrong and apprehensible. However, it does a magnificent job of humanizing this larger than life literary personality who seems more like a character in one of his novels than an author.

I'd recommend this film but not for those who like movies that explode or find man-on-man love emotionally challenging.

Rating: 9 out of 10 Buy from Amazon.com