The Happy Prince

The Happy Prince, released in 2018, serves as an intensely gripping biographic drama about the final and turbulent years of Oscar Wilde's life. Rupert Everett, who not only delivers a stellar performance in the leading role as Oscar Wilde but also cleverly authors and helms his directorial debut, soulfully narrates and depicts Wilde's complex layers, bringing the notable Irish writer and poet vividly to life.

The title of the film is taken from one of Wilde's short stories, which is used metaphorically to explore and symbolise Wilde's life. It represents the beaten, bruised, disregarded, but still creatively fertile final years of Wilde's lifecycle, along with the rich, flamboyant, and scandalous history preceding it. As Wilde lurches from genteel salons to dank dives, the film paints a tragically touching picture of a genius losing his grip on his fragile existence.

Oscar Wilde was an extraordinary artist, a witty raconteur who charmed society before facing severe punishment for his homosexuality. The Happy Prince delves into a period of Wilde's life that marks his downfall from being a celebrated playwright to disgraced pariah. It commences in 1897, capturing moments after his release from two-year imprisonment for 'gross indecency,' focusing on the gloomy years of exile in France and Italy before his death in 1900.

Rupert Everett excels with his deeply moving portrayal of Wilde, expertly displaying his creative brilliance, flamboyant wit, sufferings, late-life recklessness and melancholic vulnerability. Yet, his interpretation is far from sanctimonious or mawkish, meticulously adhering to the flawed, human side of Oscar Wilde, a man grappling with the oppressive stigmas that society imposed upon him.

Colin Firth plays the role of Wilde's friend Reggie Turner. Firth offers a masterclass in understated yet emotive acting, sympathetically expressing Reggie's deep friendship and affection for Wilde, albeit constrained by the norms and expectations of the Victorian era. Emily Watson embodies the character of Constance Lloyd, Wilde's estranged wife, a delicate yet powerful embodiment of sublime resignation and poignant endurance amid a chaotic existence.

The triumvirate of the film is completed by Wilde's lover Bosie, played by Edwin Thomas, who flexibly flits between being Wilde's muse and the source of his darkest miseries. With contrasting personalities, these characters form a compelling dramatic quartet.

The Happy Prince is a haunting exploration of Wilde's struggle with remorse and loss, self-destruction, and emotional and financial exploitation. Yet, interspersed moments of levity and warmth derive from Wilde's unyielding love for storytelling, especially to children. These instances form an uplifting counterpoint to widespread despair, offering a glimpse into the genius that once enthralled the world.

The aesthetic aspect of the film is another marvel to behold. Cinematographer John Conroy invokes a delightfully gloomy canvas to encapsulate the shadowy part of Wilde's life, simultaneously capturing the luminous flamboyance that is signature Wilde. The production design intricately focuses on the era's details, finely reflecting the contrast of opulent salons and dirty alleyways that infringe on Wilde's life. The music by Gabriel Yared complements the narrative's fluctuating moods, adding to the overall immersion.

Inclusive in its approach, the film does not shy away from capturing Wilde's sexuality, capturing its tender and turbulent facets alike. It serves a quieter revolution, recollecting historic homophobia while highlighting Wilde's resilience to remain, till his final breath, unapologetically himself amid societal bias.

Rupert Everett's long-nurtured passion project does justice to its intent, crafting a fond portrait of a man who is at once amusing, tragic, and exasperating. Cinema enthusiasts will appreciate The Happy Prince for its engaging narrative arc, its rigorous attention to period detail, and above all, its hauntingly poignant depiction of an iconic literary figure whose wit and wisdom still resonate today.

Indubitably, Everett’s substantial endeavor is a love letter to Oscar Wilde’s tragic spirit, a tribute, deeply sympathetic but unflinchingly honest, encapsulating the lively intellect, sardonic wit, hedonistic lifestyle, and profound tragedy that was the life of Oscar Wilde.