The Picture of Dorian Gray, Albert Lewin’s film adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s novel of the same name is a story about the struggle between an individual’s conscience and the façade he puts forth to society. The film tells the story of Dorian Gray, a young man who stays forever young and handsome while a portrait of his likeness ages in his place and shows all the sins of his life. When he is a young man, Dorian has a portrait painted of him by his friend Basil Hallward. Basil and his young niece, Gladys believe the painting to be the most beautiful, but Basil also believes it was as if something supernatural were guiding his hand. Caring only about his youth and pleasure, Dorian wishes that he could stay young forever.
While traveling the world, Dorian hears the beautiful Sybil Vane singing at the Two Turtles. He comes back every night to hear her sing and eventually, they meet and fall in love. Dorian is determined to marry Sybil, but his friend Lord Henry Wotton devises a test to see if she is virtuous. At first, Sybil passes the test, but falters. The next day, Dorian writes a letter to Sybil, saying that he no longer loves her because she is not as virtuous as he thought. He then leaves to travel. However, when he returns, Dorian notices that his portrait has changed; the mouth now shows a hint of cruelty.
At this moment, Dorian thinks that he would give his soul if only the portrait would change while he stayed the same forever. He decides to live purely and nobly and writes a letter to Sybil begging her to take him back. But, he learns from Henry that Sybil has died after swallowing something. Naturally, Dorian blames himself. He covers the painting and locks it in an attic with other relics from his carefree youth. He vows to never let another person see the portrait again.
Dorian’s portrait continues to take on the burdens of his age and sins as the years pass. People grow weary of him, because he cannot bear to be away from the portrait, fearing someone might discover the monstrosity it has become and know the sins he has committed. He meets Gladys, Basil’s niece and falls in love with him. He tries to warn her that he is not a good person, but she tells him that there is no evil in him.
On his thirty-eighth birthday, Dorian sees Basil and shows him his painting after being told of rumors being spread about him. The portrait shows a middle-aged man, afflicted with leprosy and twisted with the sins he has committed. It is hideous. Suddenly, Dorian is overcome with hatred for Basil and the fear that he will betray his secret. In a moment of rage, Dorian stabs Basil, further marring his portrait with blood. Soon after, he proposes marriage to Gladys.
In the following scene, the audience sees a street preacher on a dark street. He preaches to a group of bystanders, asking, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?” Dorian gets out of a coach and stands, listening and pondering the man’s words. As he walks away, we see Sybil’s brother in the audience. This was my favorite scene because of the darkness that contrasts with the rest of the film. The only other times the scenery is not well lit are the times when Dorian is in his attic, examining his portrait. Whenever he is in public, he is well lit and the entire setting is bright. I also liked the preacher’s words because it is as though he is delivering a message directly to Dorian. In fact, Dorian reacts as if the preacher’s words have a profound effect on him, as if he realizes then that he has given up his soul.
After his friend Allen Campbell and Sybil’s brother die, Dorian says good bye to Gladys, hoping this one good deed would be reflected in the portrait. As he moves into the light to view the picture, he can see evidence of his good deed in the monster’s eyes. Fearing he would be tempted by the portrait further, Dorian stabs the monster in the heart with the same dagger he used to kill Basil. As he dies, the picture of Dorian Gray returns to its original beauty, while he is transformed into his true self.
In The Picture of Dorian Gray, the portrait represents Dorian’s conscience. Though he never changes and stays young and beautiful, his picture shows all his sins. The film’s message is that of the conscience, rather than the soul. After telling Dorian of Alan Campbell’s death, Henry utters the words, “How rarely we know what goes on inside a man.” Though he is speaking of Alan, Henry’s words can be applied to Dorian. While the entire world may only see his good looks and innocence, Dorian must live with his sins and faults every day. His constant reminders of his wrongdoings torment him at all times. The Picture of Dorian Gray teaches the audience to live purely and nobly, because even if an individual puts up an innocent façade, he must still live with the decisions he has made and the sins he has committed.
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