Dorian Gray
Dorian Gray

Dorian Gray

2009Movie112 minEnglish

Seduced into the decadent world of Lord Henry Wotton, handsome young aristocrat Dorian Gray becomes obsessed with maintaining his youthful appearance, and commissions a special portrait that will weather the winds of time while he remains forever young. When Gray's obsession spirals out of control, his desperate attempts to safeguard his secret turn his once-privileged life into a living hell.

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IMDb6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes38%
Metacritic35/100
Google Users66%
Director: Oliver ParkerGenres: Drama, Horror, Fantasy

Plot Summary

A handsome and hedonistic young man, Dorian Gray, has his portrait painted. Upon seeing the finished artwork, he wishes for it to age in his stead, allowing him to remain eternally youthful and beautiful. His wish is granted, and he descends into a life of debauchery and sin, with the portrait bearing the physical manifestation of his corrupted soul.

Critical Reception

The 2009 adaptation of 'Dorian Gray' received a mixed reception from critics. While some praised its visual style and the performances of its lead actors, particularly Ben Barnes and Colin Firth, others found it to be a less compelling or faithful adaptation of Oscar Wilde's classic novel. The film was noted for its gothic atmosphere but was criticized by some for its pacing and thematic depth.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually striking with a strong gothic atmosphere.
  • Performances by Ben Barnes and Colin Firth are often highlighted.
  • Criticized for not fully capturing the novel's philosophical depth or wit.

Google audience: Audiences generally found the film to be a decent, albeit somewhat flawed, adaptation. Many appreciated the visual presentation and the performances, though some felt it lacked the intellectual punch of the original novel. It's often seen as an entertaining gothic horror film rather than a profound literary adaptation.

Awards & Accolades

None notable.

Fun Fact

The painting of Dorian Gray was created by artist Cyril Morley, and its aging was achieved through digital manipulation rather than a series of paintings.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

4 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

I know "Dorian Gray" was supposed to be beautiful, but I doubt if Oscar Wilde would have wanted something this insipidly pretty or seedy! It's Ben Barnes who tries to step up to the plate in the title role and he falls pretty flat. "Gray" i...
tmdb28039023

tmdb28039023

It's a shame that such a theoretically perfect Dorian Gray as Stuart Townsend was wasted on The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Sure, at 31, Townsend was arguably too old for the role in 2003, and even more so in 2009, the year this Dori...
Gimly

Gimly

Handballs it in on just about every important (and engaging) aspect of the actual _Portrait of Dorian Gray_ story. _Final rating:★★ - Had some things that appeal to me, but a poor finished product._
John Chard

John Chard

How Ominous! Another adaptation of the Oscar Wilde story. Film is about Dorian Gray (Ben Barnes), a man taken by the hedonism bug shown to him by Lord Wotton (Colin Firth). Upon having his portrait painted, Dorian comes to never age, but...