The Happy Prince (2018)

The untold story of the last days in the tragic times of Oscar Wilde, a person who observes his own failure with ironic distance and regards the difficulties that beset his life with detachment and humor.

Director:

Rupert Everett

Writer:

Rupert Everett

Stars:

Emily Watson, Colin Firth, Colin Morgan

4 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Emily Watson	...	Constance Wilde
Colin Firth	...	Reggie Turner
Colin Morgan	...	Alfred Bosie Douglas
Rupert Everett	...	Oscar Wilde
Anna Chancellor	...	Mrs. Arbuthnott
Tom Wilkinson	...	Father Dunne
Béatrice Dalle	...	Café Manager
John Standing	...	Dr. Tucker
Joshua McGuire	...	Ambrose Smithers
Julian Wadham	...	Top Hat
Ronald Pickup	...	Judge
Daniel Weyman	...	Beauchamp Denis Brown
Edwin Thomas	...	Robbie Ross
Tom Colley	...	Maurice Gilbert
Alister Cameron	...	Mr. Howard

Storyline

In a cheap Parisian hotel room Oscar Wilde lies on his death bed. The past floods back, taking him to other times and places. Was he once the most famous man in London? The artist crucified by a society that once worshipped him? Under the microscope of death he reviews the failed attempt to reconcile with his long suffering wife Constance, the ensuing reprisal of his fatal love affair with Lord Alfred Douglas and the warmth and devotion of Robbie Ross, who tried and failed to save him from himself. Travelling through Wilde's final act and journeys through England, France and Italy, the transience of lust is laid bare and the true riches of love are revealed. It is a portrait of the dark side of a genius who lived and died for love.

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Plot Keywords:

extreme unction | gay artist | gay interest | gay character | gay man gay man friendship | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content, graphic nudity, language and brief drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK Belgium Italy Germany

Language:

English Italian French Latin

Release Date:

10 October 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Happy Prince

Filming Locations:

Bavaria, Germany

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

€208,502 (Italy), 15 April 2018, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$38,886, 14 October 2018, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$466,440, 20 December 2018

Company Credits

Production Co:

Maze Pictures, Entre Chien et Loup, Palomar

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rupert Everett has previously played Oscar Wilde on stage in a revival of David Hare's 'The Judas Kiss', a play which covers a similar time span to this movie. It ran from September 2012 to April 2013 in London and on tour in the UK and Dublin. In 2016 the production had runs in Toronto and NYC.

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Goofs

Oscar is shown at Clapham Junction in prison garb with the number 33. He is on the way to Reading Gaol where he is assigned cell C33.

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Quotes

Reggie Turner: From what you say, Oscar, it would seem that Reading Gaol is an enchanted castle. With the governor as its presiding elf.

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Crazy Credits

During the end credits Oscar Wilde is heard and seen singing a French song in a cafe. Then there are flashbacks of audiences applauding his works in a theatre.

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Connections

Referenced in The Graham Norton Show: Cher/Christine Baranski/Rupert Everett/Natalie Dormer/Tom Odell (2018)

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Soundtracks

La Petite Tonkinoise
Music by Vincent Scotto
Lyrics by Henri Christiné
Courtesy of Universal Music Publishing
(1906)

User Reviews

Acting masterclass

This was an absorbing tale largely because I hadn't a clue about Wilde's last days. The acting was excellent, each actor delivering a completely believable naturalistic turn. Despite the great support acting if the lead, Rupert Everett ( almost unrecognisable) hadn't been so completely absorbing it could have been dire. He was remarkable, managing the multiple tones and moods Wilde goes through. A tale of sadness and joy and redemption. Such an interesting movie.