Rowing with the Wind
Rowing with the Wind

Movie spotlight

Rowing with the Wind

1988
Movie
95 min
Spanish

In the summer of 1816, Percy Shelley, his mistress Mary, and her stepsister Claire visit Lord Byron at Lake Geneva. Byron challenges each to write a horror story, and Mary begins her novel, Frankenstein. She imagines the monster becoming real, and for the next six years, as tragedy befalls those around her, she believes the personification of her imagination is the cause. Against this backdrop, Claire has Byron's baby then is estranged from him and barred from her daughter. Byron and Percy continue their friendship, the one self-centered and decadent, the other wildly idealistic. The Shelleys take up residence near Pisa.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Director: Jack GoldGenres: Drama, History, Biography

Plot Summary

This film chronicles the last year of the life of Oscar Wilde, focusing on his struggles with his homosexuality and the legal and social persecution he faced in late Victorian England. It depicts his relationships, his imprisonment, and his final days in exile in Paris, exploring themes of love, art, and societal prejudice.

Critical Reception

Rowing with the Wind received a mixed critical reception upon its release. While Gary Oldman's performance as Oscar Wilde was widely praised for its depth and nuance, the film's pacing and narrative structure were often cited as weaknesses. Audiences were divided, with some appreciating the sensitive portrayal of Wilde's tragic life and others finding the film emotionally heavy and slow-moving.

What Reviewers Say

  • Gary Oldman delivers a powerful and memorable performance as Oscar Wilde.

  • The film attempts a sensitive portrayal of Wilde's final year, but is hampered by a sluggish pace.

  • Visually striking, but emotionally distant for some viewers.

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Fun Fact

Gary Oldman famously gained significant weight and adopted Wilde's distinctive mannerisms to prepare for his role, demonstrating a deep commitment to embodying the playwright.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
badelf

badelf

Looks like Lord Byron's castle was the location of Burning Man of the 19th century. A bit hard to follow, but a good biopic of the author of Frankenstein.