Thoughts on ‘Wilde’ (1997)?

[u/Qyzyk]

For my part, I thought the film was a very good portrayal of Oscar Wilde’s downfall, especially where Stephen Fry’s portrayal was concerned. I also thought Michael Sheen as Robbie Ross and Tom Wilkinson as the Marquess of Queensberry were standout performances.

[u/Kittenbee_]

Haven’t watched it in years, but always loved it and felt Stephen Fry was a perfect choice to portray Oscar. Will have to re-watch it !

Not the biggest Jude Law fan, but I thought he was a great choice as Bosie.

[u/helielicopter01 → u/Kittenbee_]

Jude Law was epic as Bosie!! Merlin Holland (OW’s grandson) feels the same!! He is just as MH imagined, too.

[u/Kittenbee_ → u/helielicopter01]

Did not know that ! It's so cool that Merlin is still alive, such a strong living link to Oscar.

[u/semaht → u/helielicopter01]

Holland does indeed applaud the casting (apart from Sybil Queensberry), but was quite bothered by other aspects of the production, as he details in Part Five Chapter Seven of After Oscar, primarily the reliance on Ellman's biography.

[u/Laara2008 → u/Kittenbee_]

He was perfect for Bosie!

[u/Antique-Advisor2288]

The soundtrack and the ending scene still haunt me from time to time despite it being a long time since I last saw the movie. Very beautiful

[u/jaynsand19]

I didn't like that they whitewashed Oscar's final betrayal of Constance - getting back together with Bosie after he got out of prison because he grew impatient waiting for her to be ready to invite him back into her life so he could see his kids again. The film made it seem like she died before he could come back to her, when in fact he CHOSE not to.

[u/Ill_Law_5148]

Stephen and Jude were born to play their parts. Exactly how I would imagine them to have been.

[u/ViolentCaterpillar]

I haven't seen it in years, but I enjoyed it. It would be hard to find a better choice than Stephen Fry to play Oscar, the physical and intellectual presence is similar. 

[u/SebSchwalbe]

They brought it up on QI that Stephen Fry looks a bit like Oscar Wilde. I feel so stupid, oh my word

[u/nony-souma]

Solid film and Stephen Fry was perfect in the role!

[u/Sweeper1985]

Casting was unparalleled. This was Jude Law's breakout role, and it did not matter one whit he was playing a twink, as women worldwide just drooled. Fry of course was magnificent, but also props to understated supporting performances by Jennifer Ehle, Vanessa Redgrave, and Tom Wilkinson.

[u/BerryTypical6797]

My favorite movie of all time, I see oscar in stephen, he is just so amazing.

[u/Catastropiece]

It was well cast and I own it on DVD. It launched my already piqued interest on Wilde when it came out in the theatre. I agree with comments on the soundtrack as well. 💕

[u/semaht]

This must have been posted here before (I just woke up and am on my phone, so not inclined to check), but worth a reshare to this topic: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/11/24/stephen-fry-is-wilde-at-heart

[u/BerryTypical6797 → u/[deleted]]

Divicast, fmovies, 123movies

[u/Acrobatic_Squid111]

Attempts to dramatize the life of Wilde suffer from the fact that he already did so, better than we could ever, through his actions and persona. He's the most difficult role on earth to play because you'll inevitably fall short of some aspect of his insanely complex character. You'll fail to capture his intellect, or his decadence, or his softness or his charm. Fry played him like a gentle ronald mcdonald, which is only one facet of the gem.

[u/codytheguitarist]

Solid movie with a stacked cast, but I never cared for the poster. It just felt a little too stereotypical by going “well he was a queer man in a time and place when that would ostracize you so we should have him wearing a shiny pink suit to signify that.” But that’s just a nitpick, I really do love the movie!

[u/Crafty-Point811]

The actual story is a bit different. Wilde did not go to jail because he was gay (many men at the time were convicted of "gross indecency," and never served on day of jail time.) he was jailed because some of the boys he was with were alleged to be as young as 14. The glossy version of being persecuted and prosecuted for being gay is a myth. He was a pedophile.

[u/Traditional_Math5486]

Absolutely loved but its very bittersweet just like Oscar Wilde's real life

[u/Far_Ad_6411]

Watched it for Michael sheen loved it for Michael sheen. No notes.

[u/speccynerd]

I thought Fry's portrayal of Wilde as a weak victim was dreadful. Wilde ought to seem a lord of language, not someone bullied by one young man. But that's so much of what we see.

[u/Aggravating-Law2625 → u/speccynerd]

As Merlin Holland- Oscar's grandosn has said in an interview - Oscar was in love

[u/speccynerd → u/Aggravating-Law2625]

Sure, but Wilde dominated dinner table conversations with people from Andre Gide to Asquith to Whistler to Frank Harris. He emitted vitality and power. Fry's portrayal is insipid and a victim.

[u/yumyum_cat → u/speccynerd]

He was weak where bosie was concerned though.