See It Because I Said So

Dorian Gray

2009, R Rating 112 minutes


Cast: Ben Barnes, Colin Firth, Ben Chaplin, Rebecca Hall, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Caroline Goodall, Emilia Fox, Douglas Henshall,Fiona Shaw, Maryam d'Abo

Director: Oliver Parker

Geres: Drama, Supernatural Thrillers, Dramas Based on Classic Literature, Period Pieces


This movie is based on the book “The Picture of Dorian Gray” written by Oscar Wilde. Dorian Gray (Ben Barnes), heir to a family fortune, is introduced to a life of hedonist debauchery by envious frenemy Lord Wotten (Colin Firth) who succeeds in corrupting and freeing this philosophical protegee from his perceived existence of mundane conforming. Wotten gave so much more meaning to the verse “Do it till your satisfied” than B.T Express aimed to emphasize.

Wotten’s manipulation began by captivating Dorian with his own image in a self portrait created by commissioned painter, Basil Hallward (Ben Chaplin), who is Wotten’s acquaintance and later becomes Dorian’s close friend. Although Basil cares deeply for Dorain and has heavy reservations regarding Wotten’s influence, he indulges limited amounts of pleasure being a devotee to such a rich, becoming young man and fails to redirect his fate.

The music and costumes in this movie is consistent with the Victorian era and allows you to enjoy a visual trip to a time when the extremely wealthy struggled to maintain a facade of chasteness and civility in every public arena. The acting was a bit blase which made it difficult for me to connect with any of the characters. What kept me interested? I was drawn to learn more about the immortal Dorain Gray character portrayed in Stephen Norrington’s film adaptation of the cult comic series, “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”. Mysterious, alluring, discerning men with a secret always draw me in. I guess it’s because I watched too many 007 and Dracula movies in my early childhood.

If you are a fan of supernatural fiction, I would recommend checking this one out if you have some sleepless nights to occupy. If you are not, this film is a sufficient anecdote besides counting sheep.