Wilde (1997)

If this BBC production is to be believed, Irishman Oscar Wilde was a poet, playwright, father, homosexual, and a foppish bore. Wilde traces the story of Oscar's (Stephen Fry) rise to fame as one of England most gifted writers. His advantageous marriage to Constance (Jenniger Ehle) gave way to numerous escapades with young men (Ioan Guffard, an uncredited and very young Orlando Bloom, Michael Sheen). It's the torrid affair with Lord Alfred Douglas (Jude Law) that ultimately brought about his downfall.

Stephen Fry phones in his performance of Wilde. What a disappointment. Other than a pert accent and lilting swagger, the viewer sees no other effort from Fry. The entire cast is aloof and in turn, the film becomes an annoyance.

The film parks on Wilde's self-realization of homosexuality leading the drama to take on a sense of voyeurism. Poorly executed attempts are homo-eroticism are laughable and compound Wilde's issues.

As period dramas go, Wilde is lavishly produced with sweeping detail. If it weren't for the irritating cast, it would be enjoyable to look at. Alas, everything is marginalized by Fry's disinterested performance. There is nothing to see here. Nothing at all.