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:

Colin Firth, Emily Watson, Colin Morgan

4 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Colin Firth	...	Reggie Turner
Emily Watson	...	Constance Wilde
Colin Morgan	...	Alfred Bosie Douglas
Rupert Everett	...	Oscar Wilde
Anna Chancellor	...	Lydia Arbuthnott
Tom Wilkinson	...	Father Cuthbert Dunne
Béatrice Dalle	...	Café-Concert Manager
Ronald Pickup	...	Judge
Julian Wadham	...	Mr. Arbuthnott
Joshua McGuire	...	Ambrose Smithers
John Standing	...	Dr. Tucker
Daniel Weyman	...	Beauchamp Denis Brown
Edwin Thomas	...	Robert Robbie Ross
Tom Colley	...	Maurice Gilbert
Ciro Petrone	...	Fisherman at Christmas Party

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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Taglines:

The last days of Oscar Wilde - and the ghosts that haunted them - are vividly evoked...

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Colin Firth and Rupert Everett appeared in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest (2002), as well as Another Country (1984), St. Trinian's (2007), St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold (2009), and Shakespeare in Love (1998), in which Everett made an uncredited appearance as Christopher Marlowe.

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Goofs

Oscar was well known to have bad teeth and discoloration from the application of mercury. Rupert Everett's set of choppers do not reflect this.

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Quotes

Oscar Wilde: The natural habitat of the hypocrite is England. Go back there, leave me in peace! Go!

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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

Featured in Projector: The Happy Prince (2018)

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Soundtracks

Symphony No 6 in B Minor op. 74 Pathetique
Written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (as P. Tchaikovsky)
Performed by Gürzenich Orchestra of Cologne

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.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK Belgium Italy Germany

Language:

Latin English French Italian

Release Date:

10 October 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Happy Prince

Filming Locations:

Bavaria, Germany

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$38,886, 14 October 2018

Gross USA:

$466,440

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,621,992

Company Credits

Production Co:

Maze Pictures, Entre Chien et Loup, Palomar

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1