by A. Marshall

Created on: October 05, 2009

Dorian Gray is based on the 1891 gothic horror novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.

The young and innocent Dorian (Ben Barnes) arrives in London to inherit the family property and is welcomed into society by the decadent Lord Henry Wotton (Colin Firth) where he soon finds that jaded socialites are mesmerized by his youthful beauty. Lord Henry introduces him to talented artist Basil Hallward (Ben Chaplin) who becomes obsessed with Dorian, drawing him over and over again until he captures his image to his satisfaction. The resulting painting is shown, to everyone's great admiration, but Dorian begins to wonder how long he can stay that way.

He declares he would sell his soul to the devil to look like that forever, and somehow it begins to come true. Lord Henry, bored with his marriage, advocates a life lived for the moment and introduces him to the more decadent pleasures of London society. However, it's the painting that begins to show changes, not Dorian. He seduces a young actress, Sybil Vane (Rachel Hurd-Wood) but after treating her so badly he loses her, he launches into a life of debauchery, drink and drugs. It seems that both physically and spiritually, he can escape the consequences, but people around him begin to pay the price and he soon develops a reputation. Dorian has to hide the painting in the attic to make sure nobody sees the shocking changes that are occurring. But the consequences of his actions begin to catch up with him.

Colin Firth is really at his best in this, as the sinful Henry Wotton. He comes across as poised, cynical and a bit bored with life. There is a wicked gleam in his eye as he introduces the young Dorian into his first encounters with cigarettes, alcohol and prostitutes.

Ben Barnes is well chosen for the role of Dorian. He really has the kind of looks that are ideal for this film, beautiful in a youthful boyish way that emphasizes his innocence. We see subtle changes in him as Dorian grows more confident and deceitful, but he still has a look of innocence about him, while at the same time giving the impression of soullessness. It's a subtle and mesmerising performance.

Ben Chaplin comes across as one of the more likeable characters as the artist Basil Hallward. It's clear in the way he looks at Dorian that he is in love with him, but, unlike Lord Henry, he would prefer to preserve his innocence and goodness.

Rachel Hurd-Wood has a luminous beauty as the innocent young actress Sybil Vane. She doesn't have a big

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