Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray is probably the last of the 19th Century gothic horror novels, and has so far avoided a big-budget, big-screen adaption (bar a 1945 adaption by MGM Studios, but that doesn't really count). The only time I can recount Dorian Gray ever appearing on-screen is in the god-awful film that is The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (aka LGX aka The League aka A steaming pile of shit).

Rather than updated for modern times or twisted beyond recognition, Dorian Gray sits neatly in the "period" genre and manages to make itself into an intriguiging and enjoyable film. From what I remember of the book from reading it about 5 years ago, Dorian wishes to remain young like his painting, and this wish is granted by some other force (hinting towards the devil). He then commits a few sins, under the guidance of an older friend, with the painting absorbing these sins and showing what he would really look like. He realises this and off he goes on a life of sin. Yadda yadda yadda, painting grows old and ugly with each sin, Dorian stays young, but you never learn what said sins are. He then realises his mistakes, destroys the painting, and dies after taking his "true form". Painting reverts to him being young. The End.

Rather than focusing on the fact the painting ages rather than Dorian, as the book does, the film gives a slight hint then shoves the painting away in an attic, keeping it hidden from both characters in the film and the viewer. The only suggestions that the painting changes as shots of Dorian's expression looking at it, and the slight hints at the painting absorbing his sins. Replacing all of this suggestion of sin is actual shots of sins. Drug Taking. Excessive Drinking. Nights with Prostitutes. Cheating on his girlfriend. Murder. The list goes on...
It sticks to the book pretty closely I feel, from what I can remember of it.

Some of the visual effects in the film are poor, with some horrendously obvious CG London Shots and Greenscreened pieces, but the low number of them, couple with good acting from the majority of the cast means it has no effect on the actual enjoyment factor. The only major effects shots are where time jumps forward and whilst Dorian has not aged, everyone else has, and these are impressively created through clever prosthetics and make-up.
In keeping with the gothic-horror feel of the book, the film features largely dark and dingey shots of London Alleys and backstreets, displaying 1890's London as a dirty and occasionally dangerous place, and the 1920's version is shown to be no better either, with a short-lived chase sequence through an underground station and partially along the railway lines too, as well as visits to previous locations showing no changes to the general vibe of the areas or their populations.

The only downsides is the ending feels rushed, but it does add more detail to the plot, and a large amount of it is a good and improving addition, adding a nice twist and lengthening an otherwise relatively short story.

One could argue that the shift in focus does reduce a lot of the horror elements. By keeping Dorian's sins secretive, the reader could see their own sins in Dorian, which was a major element of the book. By showing them on screen, a lot of this element is lost, but it does add a great more detail to the film and shows his bad choices in life.
Like the book, the underlying subtones is that every action has repercussions, and the worst actions cause the most damage. Which whilst blindingly obvious, manages to be thought provoking and an interesting moral point.

7/10 - Whilst the levels of horror in the film are lowered significantly from the book, a large volume of time is spent following Dorian on his adventures and the factors which influence his behaviour, which proves to be an interesting and clever choice. By moving the focus from the painting to the actual man, and adding additional plot points, the film manages to be much more engaging than a direct adaption could ever be, as simply seeing a painting age on screen whilst Dorian fucks off would probably be pretty boring.