Dorian Gray Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy makes a pact to stay pretty forever, and his selfie gets all the wrinkles instead, leading to some very awkward art gallery visits and bad decisions.

🍿 Dorian Gray: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival in London and Corrupting Influence

Dorian Gray, a naive young man, arrives in Victorian London to inherit his grandfather’s estate. He is quickly drawn into the city’s high society by Lord Henry Wotton, who introduces him to a life of hedonistic pleasure and corruption. Wotton’s cynical worldview profoundly impacts Dorian’s impressionable mind. Simultaneously, Dorian is befriended by artist Basil Hallward, who becomes infatuated with Dorian’s beauty and paints his portrait. The painting captures Dorian’s youthful perfection, leading him to make a fateful wish that he could remain forever young while the portrait bears the burden of age and sin.

The Deal and Its Consequences

Dorian’s wish comes true, and he embarks on a life of excess and immorality, remaining eternally youthful and beautiful while the portrait hidden in his attic reflects his decaying soul and physical aging. He indulges in various vices, including promiscuity, drug use, and reckless behavior, with no visible consequences to his appearance. His actions have dire repercussions on those around him. He falls in love with actress Sibyl Vane but cruelly rejects her, leading to her tragic suicide. Basil, increasingly concerned about Dorian’s moral decline, confronts him, only to discover the horrifying truth about the portrait and become a victim of Dorian’s escalating depravity.

Return to London and Final Confrontation

Years later, Dorian returns to London, still youthful and unchanged, shocking his former acquaintances. He pursues a relationship with Emily Wotton, Lord Henry’s daughter, who represents a chance for redemption. However, his past sins continue to haunt him as he is pursued by Sibyl’s vengeful brother, James. The climax involves a confrontation between Dorian, Lord Henry, and Emily. Lord Henry discovers the disfigured portrait and realizes the extent of Dorian’s corruption. In a desperate attempt to end his torment, Dorian destroys the portrait, which results in his own death, his body aging rapidly to reflect the years of sin and decay.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Dorian Gray (Ben Barnes): A naive young man who makes a deal to retain his youthful beauty eternally, while his portrait reflects his inner corruption.
• Henry Wotton (Colin Firth): A cynical Lord who influences Dorian Gray with his hedonistic philosophy, leading him down a path of moral decay.
• Basil Hallward (Ben Chaplin): The artist who paints Dorian’s portrait and becomes obsessed with his beauty, ultimately becoming a victim of Dorian’s corruption.
• Emily Wotton (Rebecca Hall): Lord Henry’s daughter, who offers Dorian a chance at redemption through her genuine love and moral influence.
• Sibyl Vane (Rachel Hurd-Wood): A young actress who becomes Dorian’s lover, but is tragically discarded, leading to her suicide and marking the beginning of Dorian’s moral decline.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lord Henry Wotton: “There’s no shame in pleasure. Man just wants to be happy. But society wants him to be good. And when he’s good, he’s rarely happy. But when he’s happy, he’s always good.” – Lord Henry shares his hedonistic philosophy with Dorian, influencing his life choices.
• Dorian Gray: “I would give my soul for that!” – Dorian, upon seeing his finished portrait, expresses his desire to stay forever young.
• Lord Henry Wotton: “The only way to behave to a woman is to make love to her if she is pretty, and to someone else if she is plain.” – Lord Henry voices his cynical view on relationships, which is also a line from Oscar Wilde’s play “The Importance of Being Earnest.”
• Dorian Gray: “What have I become?” – Dorian expresses anguish when confronted with the horrific state of his portrait.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: None
• Worldwide Gross: $22,873,653

💥 Dorian Gray Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie expecting a fun, gothic romp, and it definitely delivered on that front! Ben Barnes is so captivating as Dorian, and Colin Firth is deliciously wicked. I loved the visual style – the costumes and sets were amazing. The scene where the portrait first starts to change actually made me jump! It’s not a perfect adaptation of the book, but it’s a really entertaining movie night choice. I especially loved how Colin Firth’s character was so unapologetically cynical; he totally stole every scene he was in. I also really enjoyed the way they portrayed the gradual decay of Dorian’s character. You could see him slowly losing his innocence and becoming more and more corrupted by Lord Henry’s influence. It was fascinating to watch! The only thing I didn’t love was the ending – it felt a little rushed and over-the-top. But overall, I had a blast watching this movie. It’s a dark, stylish, and definitely worth a watch if you’re a fan of gothic dramas.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Gothic horror and Victorian dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about morality and corruption”
  • “Those who enjoy adaptations of classic literature”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Sexual content and nudity”
  • “Drug use and opium scenes”
  • “Violence and disturbing imagery”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While visually stunning and boasting strong performances from Firth and Barnes, ‘Dorian Gray’ suffers from a lack of subtlety, opting for shock value over Wilde’s nuanced wit. The gothic atmosphere is well-crafted, but the film ultimately feels like a missed opportunity to explore the deeper themes of the novel.
• The Guardian: “Oliver Parker’s adaptation is a lavish but ultimately hollow spectacle. Ben Barnes is suitably pretty as Dorian, and Colin Firth chews the scenery with gusto, but the film fails to capture the psychological depth of Wilde’s novel. The horror elements are overplayed, and the ending feels rushed and unsatisfying.
• Empire Magazine: “A decent, if not exceptional, take on Wilde’s classic tale. The film is visually impressive, with a strong sense of atmosphere and a commitment to the gothic aesthetic. While it may not linger long in the memory, ‘Dorian Gray’ is a worthwhile adaptation for fans of the source material.

Audience Reactions

Ben Barnes’ performance as Dorian Gray was captivating, portraying both his initial innocence and his later corruption.: Viewers often praise the film’s visual style, including the costumes, set designs, and cinematography, which effectively capture the Victorian era’s gothic atmosphere.

Colin Firth’s portrayal of Lord Henry Wotton was a highlight for many, with his witty and cynical dialogue stealing the show.: Many viewers appreciate the film’s adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s novel, though some purists may find certain changes and additions controversial.

Overall Consensus: A visually striking but somewhat shallow adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s novel, featuring strong performances but sacrificing depth for gothic thrills.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film deviates from the novel by adding a romantic interest for Dorian in the form of Emily Wotton, Lord Henry’s daughter, a character not present in Oscar Wilde’s original story.”
• “To achieve the desired ’15’ certificate in the UK, several scenes depicting Dorian’s decadent lifestyle were toned down, including cuts to sadomasochistic acts and drug use.”
• “Ben Barnes’ casting as Dorian Gray, while praised by some, was criticized by others for not adhering to the novel’s description of Dorian as a blond with blue eyes.”

🖥️ How to Watch Dorian Gray?

Dorian Gray (2009) is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. Check services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu for rental or purchase options. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Dorian Gray, you might like these similar films:

• The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945): A classic adaptation of the same Oscar Wilde novel, offering a different interpretation of the story and its themes.
• Interview with the Vampire (1994): Explores themes of eternal life, beauty, and the corrupting influence of immortality, similar to Dorian Gray.
• The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003): Stuart Townsend played Dorian Gray with verve, wit and charm.
• The Fall of the House of Usher (1928): A silent horror film exploring themes of decay, obsession, and the relationship between art and reality, reminiscent of Dorian Gray’s portrait.

🛒 Dorian Gray Related Products

• The Picture of Dorian Gray (Penguin Classics): The original novel by Oscar Wilde in a beautifully designed Penguin Classics edition. A must-have for any fan of the movie.
• Dorian Gray [Blu-ray]: The Blu-ray edition of the film, featuring high-definition picture and sound, plus bonus content such as behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
• Dorian Gray Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official movie poster, perfect for decorating a home theater or fan’s room.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Oscar Wilde: A stylized collectible figure of the author of the novel. Great for display with other movie-themed figurines.

🎧 Soundtrack

Dorian Gray features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “A Perfect Picture” – performed by Flipper Dalton
• “Main theme Dorian Gray” – performed by Charlie Mole

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Picture of Dorian Gray 2009 ~ Lost in Adaptation

Ever wonder how faithful the 2009 ‘Dorian Gray’ movie is to the book? This video breaks down the differences and similarities; I think you’ll be surprised at some of the changes they made!

Understanding a Narcissist | The Picture of Dorian Gray

Want to understand Dorian Gray on a deeper level? This video uses his character to explain narcissism; it’s actually super insightful and makes you see the story in a whole new light, I really enjoyed this one!

The Picture of Dorian Gray – Thug Notes Summary and Analysis

Need a quick and entertaining summary of ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ before diving into the movie? Thug Notes makes classic literature surprisingly fun and easy to understand, definitely check it out to better understand the film!

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