The Picture of Dorian Gray was a story I remember reading many
years ago, and being truly disturbed by it. In a way it is another twist on the
Faust tale, which I have a weakness for. A man is willing to give his soul in
exchange for something, this time for his youthful appearance. In a moment of
pride, Dorian Gray wishes that he will stay as youthful as the portrait that
has been painted of him, and the painting would age instead. As he sells his
soul, he turns into a man who is capable of terrible acts that further diminish
the look of the painting, which becomes a window into his soul. Despite my
enjoyment of the story, I have never revisited the book or watched a film
adaptation of it, so this was my first viewing of one. The film is at times
very effective. The black and white photography is striking; it also adds an
eerie quality to the film, made slightly creepier by the unusual score by
Herbert Stothart.
On the other hand, the voice – over is unnecessary and spells
things out to the viewer far too often. The film also makes the huge mistake of
showing you how horrible the painting looks after years have passed by. It
would be far more terrifying to allow the viewer to imagine how horrible the
painting has become. There is also a very preachy aspect to it where the talks
of the human soul and what can destroy it seems a bit too much. For example,
those who sin are destined for hell. However, the film can, at times, use it
effectively, as hell has always been a horror story in order to try keeping
people from straying too far from the moral constraints society tends to hold
so highly.
The film explores the vanity of others as well as Dorian. Harry
has many ideas that shock those around him. However, he sometimes voices the
unspoken rules of the high society around him: ‘I always choose my friends for
their good looks and my enemies for their good intellect’. Harry also expresses
the idea that all influences are bad as the purpose of life is self –
development and that we should yield to all temptations. Harry is somewhat a
devilish character in the film, but again there are some aspects of his ideas
that are true. If we were all so worried about not yielding to temptations for
fear of hell, we might not enjoy all aspects of life. One guest, Sir Thomas,
argues with Henry’s theory that one must live for oneself: ‘But surely if one
lives for oneself, one pays a terrible price for doing so... in remorse in suffering,
in the consciousness of degradation.’ The film shows Sir Thomas to be a
hypocrite as he yields to the temptation of the food, before storming out on
principle. They all are full of conceit and judge those around them.
Many around Dorian don’t believe he is capable of any wrong doing
because he is attractive. Sybil’s mother for instance states: ‘I don’t know his
name but he’s rich’. Sybil herself explains ‘He is good I know it. There is no
evil in him. Did you see his face?’ The film, as well as the book comments on
the of the hypocritical nature of those in high society. They claim to be moral
and yet are vain themselves. They whisper about Dorian and all the acts of evil
he might have committed but they pretend to be civil to his face as they wouldn't want
to be seen to be impolite to a handsome a wealthy gentleman.
The film has a lot to like and is still very unsettling. I think
this is mainly due to the idea that a window into your soul could reveal you to
be all that you despise in others. When Dorian looks into
that painting, he is not protected by the formalities of those too polite
to confront him. He sees only the truth.
