I was already familiar with the 1945 version of Dorian Gray, and saw this only because Jeremy Brett was in it. In this I felt he made Basil Hallward quite unlike any other character, secluded yet very humane and wiser than even Lord Henry (John Gielgud) and Dorian Gray (Peter Firth). Unfortunately, Brett hardly ever gets to be emotionally dramatic (and those parts are wonderful!) The acting between the three leads in particular is quite good, with Frith getting several chances for drama.
Lord Henry and Dorian are two of a kind in snobbishness and insincerity, and it became crystal clear at the end that despite Lord Henry appearing to know much, he hardly knows anything and can almost be pitied. I hated both of the characters. Peter Firth is so much like a boy who thinks he knows everything. His appearance, though very attractive at 24, is much younger. Someone at least in their late 20s would have been generally better, but not here. Blame the curly hair--it actually makes the very handsome Jeremy Brett look ridiculous when he is the one lead character that is farthest from that!
Dorian's painting (at the end) is appropriate without being downright grotesque. The reactions to it are over the top. Also, what I felt was worst of all, the look seems to suffer from too much dim lighting. I suppose it is done to convey the impression of the film being very dark and stagy. But the acting does that.
Lord Henry and Dorian are two of a kind in snobbishness and insincerity, and it became crystal clear at the end that despite Lord Henry appearing to know much, he hardly knows anything and can almost be pitied. I hated both of the characters. Peter Firth is so much like a boy who thinks he knows everything. His appearance, though very attractive at 24, is much younger. Someone at least in their late 20s would have been generally better, but not here. Blame the curly hair--it actually makes the very handsome Jeremy Brett look ridiculous when he is the one lead character that is farthest from that!
Dorian's painting (at the end) is appropriate without being downright grotesque. The reactions to it are over the top. Also, what I felt was worst of all, the look seems to suffer from too much dim lighting. I suppose it is done to convey the impression of the film being very dark and stagy. But the acting does that.