The Happy Prince

R

Released Oct 10, 2018

1 hr. 45 min.

Biography

History

Drama

LGBTQ+

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List

72%

139 Reviews

Tomatometer

51%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

His body ailing, Oscar Wilde lives in exile, surviving on the flamboyant irony and brilliant wit that defined him.

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Critics Consensus

A passion project for writer, director, and star Rupert Everett, The Happy Prince pays effective tribute to Oscar Wilde with a poignant look at his tragic final days.

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Georgan G

A take on the last days of Oscar Wilde. Beautiful cinematography. Good acting.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/28/24

Full Review

Rudy A

There are other films to tell the story of Wilde's rise and fall; this wise and beautiful film with Rupert Everett's magnificent performance at its center is a moving last act. The excllent supporting cast is virtually a who's who in British film. Not to miss.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/10/23

Full Review

Michael Antony A

Mikey's Movie Review: The Happy Prince (2018) Writen, Directed & Starring Rupert Everett, this poignant but painfully slow Biopic gives us an image of Oscar rarely seen... and unlikely to appear again for some time. 20 years after Stephan Fry's note perfect portrayal in 'Wilde', Everett has found an even darker vain to explore. Namely the events that took place after Oscar's release from prison - his exile and early death (aged 46), destitute in Paris. Set within the frame of his celebrated, yet moral heavy children's story of the same name, The Happy Prince is laced throughout with his ironic observations and iconic wit, and quotes from various works (particularly 'De Profundis' and 'The Ballad Of Reading Gaol'). Everett is superb, if at times a touch too dour. His Oscar is less sharp and enigmatic than Fry's, more rueful and regretful. A shunned, sickly, tragic figure. However, he's also surrounded himself with a bright and perfectly cast Colin Morgan (a surprisingly solid turn as Lord Alfred 'Bosie' Douglas), Colin Firth, Emily Watson, Edwin Thomas and Tom Wilkinson. As an actor Everett can't be faulted. As a debut Director he has a good eye. As a storyteller he needs a little more work. It's far from essential, but if you're wild about Wilde, it's certainly worth a look... Mikey's Movie Rating: 3/5*😥

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/24/23

Full Review

isla s

This is a film with some nice settings, decent cinematography and of course its relatively thought-provoking. The cast do well in their roles (although I did feel that perhaps Rupert Everett was overacting at times slightly but that aside the acting is fine) and I thought the script was pretty decent, although it's not a film that's likely to stay with me for a long time (i.e. it's not especially memorable). The main character is pretty pompous at times and may not be the most easily likeable of characters - there is a pretentiousness there but at the same time, other peoples disdain for his way of life is made clear. Whether or not you feel sorry for the situation he's found himself in will vary from person to person - I thought some of the dialogue was somewhat philosophical and it's that which I felt was thought-provoking. The title is an ironic one and its the name of a tale which Oscar tells people at his bedside during the film. I should also add that there's quite a lot of French dialogue, so if you really dislike subtitles/don't understand French then this film may not be ideal for you. Overall, however, I would recommend it, yes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This film is not the type of movie to my taste I can say; I watched it because I wanted to see Colin Morgan in action. So it was not so entertaining to me, but the acting standard was very high. The entire cast was excellent. I appreciate how Colin Morgan can transform himself like he did in becoming Bosie. The movie is worth it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An unsparing but compassionate portrait of the ruined Wilde as he self-destructs. Beautifully set, well filmed, an excellent cast. Sometimes the abrupt changes in time and place make it hard to follow. But overall a good if melancholy movie. Everett not only produces but inhabits his flawed hero.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Rupert Everett

Director

Rupert Everett

Oscar Wilde

Colin Firth

Reggie Turner

Emily Watson

Constance Wilde

Colin Morgan

Alfred Bosie Douglas

Edwin Thomas

Robbie Ross

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Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

By turns melancholy, witty, brutal, and sensual, the film is distinguished by its artful weave of time and memory, and by Everett's uncompromising performance as Wilde during his final years.

Mar 5, 2020

Full Review

Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

Everett's direction is full of beautiful surfaces and witty lines, but there's not much beneath them.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 5, 2019

Full Review

David Stratton

The Australian

Actor Rupert Everett's mistitled The Happy Prince marks his debut as a film director, and the subject matter is clearly close to his heart.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 2, 2019

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Ben Turner

The Pink Lens

Everett has captured Wilde's very essence in this very strong biopic.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 1, 2021

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Milana Vujkov

Lola On Film

All the workings of a forever unsatiated desire laid bare, in minute detail and unsavory stain.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 29, 2021

Full Review

Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

It's an impressive film in many ways, yet it often feels like a drastic, fragmentary condensation of a longer, more satisfying one...

Oct 21, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

His body ailing, Oscar Wilde lives in exile, surviving on the flamboyant irony and brilliant wit that defined him.

Director: Rupert Everett
Screenwriter: Rupert Everett
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Proximus, Cine Plus Filmproduktion, Maze Pictures, Palomar, RTBF, Entre Chien et Loup, Tele München Gruppe
Rating: R (Graphic Nudity|Brief Drug Use|Language|Sexual Content)
Genre: Biography, History, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $464.5K
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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