The Happy Prince
Rupert Everett's directorial debut chronicles an ailing Oscar Wilde's last days while exiled in France. As Oscar lies on his death bed, the past comes flooding back to him, transporting him to other times and places. Everett stars alongside Colin Firth and Emily Watson.
- Director:
- Rupert Everett (feature debut)
- Writer:
- Rupert Everett
- Cast:
- Rupert EverettColin FirthEmily WatsonColin MorganEdwin ThomasTom WilkinsonAnna ChancellorJulian Wadham
Reviews & comments
A masterpiece
A seemless narrative of the life of Oscar Wilde. I love that it was poetically intervowen to the narrative of a popular fairy tale - The Happy Prince. This was a directorial masterpiece debut from Rupert Everret. The fact that he also wrote the screenplay and portrayed Oscar Wilde is brilliant.
A story worth the telling.
In 2017 Wilde and 75,000 other men were 'pardoned' for the crime of homosexuality. Clearly they should have been apologised to rather than pardoned, but nevertheless Rupert Everett felt the time was right to tell this story (again) of the foolish love lorn Wilde and his selfish lover Bosie. Overall a fascinating and relevant tale but I couldn't help feeling...
Vulture
pressThe Happy Prince proves that a film can be both bleak and warm-spirited, as befits its mighty subject.
Variety
pressAs a final, permanent showcase for a role Everett was born to play, then, "The Happy Prince" does the job.
Time Out
pressAs a director, Everett is sometimes heavy-handed, but the performances, and the undeniable injustice of Wilde's ordeal, make for a tragedy worthy of its drama-loving subject.
The Times
pressIt's a fearless, committed, and award-worthy turn, and emblematic of a first-time film-maker at his most expressive and most affecting.
The Telegraph
pressThere are real virtues to its comparative lack of polish: this story gains a seamy power from the rough edges, the exploratory style, even the slightly unstable editing.
Stuff
pressIt's an interesting, more sober counterpoint to 1997's Stephen Fry starring Wilde, but Happy Prince feels like more of a slog than it should be.
New Zealand Herald
pressWith The Happy Prince, Everett has revealed himself to be one to watch behind the camera, as well as in front of it.
Little White Lies
pressA poignant story that is almost eclipsed by the egoistic frolics of its creator.
Hollywood Reporter
pressAn absorbing but shapeless bio-drama that never gains much steam.
Vulture
pressThe Happy Prince proves that a film can be both bleak and warm-spirited, as befits its mighty subject.
Variety
pressAs a final, permanent showcase for a role Everett was born to play, then, "The Happy Prince" does the job.
Time Out
pressAs a director, Everett is sometimes heavy-handed, but the performances, and the undeniable injustice of Wilde's ordeal, make for a tragedy worthy of its drama-loving subject.
The Times
pressIt's a fearless, committed, and award-worthy turn, and emblematic of a first-time film-maker at his most expressive and most affecting.
The Telegraph
pressThere are real virtues to its comparative lack of polish: this story gains a seamy power from the rough edges, the exploratory style, even the slightly unstable editing.
Stuff
pressIt's an interesting, more sober counterpoint to 1997's Stephen Fry starring Wilde, but Happy Prince feels like more of a slog than it should be.
New Zealand Herald
pressWith The Happy Prince, Everett has revealed himself to be one to watch behind the camera, as well as in front of it.
Little White Lies
pressA poignant story that is almost eclipsed by the egoistic frolics of its creator.
Hollywood Reporter
pressAn absorbing but shapeless bio-drama that never gains much steam.
A masterpiece
A seemless narrative of the life of Oscar Wilde. I love that it was poetically intervowen to the narrative of a popular fairy tale - The Happy Prince. This was a directorial masterpiece debut from Rupert Everret. The fact that he also wrote the screenplay and portrayed Oscar Wilde is brilliant.
A story worth the telling.
In 2017 Wilde and 75,000 other men were 'pardoned' for the crime of homosexuality. Clearly they should have been apologised to rather than pardoned, but nevertheless Rupert Everett felt the time was right to tell this story (again) of the foolish love lorn Wilde and his selfish lover Bosie. Overall a fascinating and relevant tale but I couldn't help...
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