what´s the point of casting an UGLY man as Dorian who CAN´T ACT?????

Each has their own definition of beauty, and that is completely desirable in order to ensure that genetic material be spread as far as possible amongst the human race.

Personally, I think that the choice of actor was based on the classical notion of the "dandy", the Victorian gentleman of leisure so wonderfully portrayed by Oscar Wilde in the book this film is based on. As such, the choice of Ben Barnes as the lead makes complete sense, since he has classic British good looks and can fit into the body hugging outfits of the period.

Sadly I can't agree with you on the acting opinion, although of course yours is as valid as mine. I thought Ben Barnes was fantastic in this film, showing a depth of character acting that lacks in most Hollywood cinema and a great deal of British efforts as well.

I really enjoyed this interpretation of a fantastic book, and would recommend it to anyone.

B

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You're entitled to your opinion, but so are we all.

It's funny, when this first came out I desperately wanted to see it (one of my favorite books), but never got the chance. I happened to be awake tonight (2am) and it was on TV! I finally just got around to watching it... I had a lot of problems with the movie, but Ben Barnes, both in looks and talent, was probably one of the things it got most RIGHT. In my opinion, of course.
Colin Firth was also a welcome addition, and I thought the montages of sexual deluge and violent indulgence was a most needed touch - as others pointed out before me, it's difficult to illustrate Gray's descent into hedonism and deviance if following the book word for word.

I think most of what this film got wrong was in its plot arc. I would go so far as to say the faults lay in the writing, but I must also give credit to some of the film's most stirring moments as being a product of the script. Many of Firth's lines were thought-provoking, no matter how heartless and/or cynical.

But the development necessary to show Gray's evolution as a character just wasn't well expressed. Barnes portrayed the innocence of the character's initial nature brilliantly, as he also portrayed the cold, manipulative, narcissistic tendencies as well. But there was little to nothing in the film that transitioned between the two.

For instance, Barnes handled Sybil's death scene extremely well, and the morning after just the same, but the scene that was between them (his seeing the painting transform) to suggest his inner transformation was utterly lacking. And while you could say it was Barnes's responsibility to emote the necessary development, I put just as much responsibility in the hands of the writers and, ultimately, the director.

Dude, I full on swayzed that mother!!

wow, definitely disagree. Ben Barnes was perfect for this role. i'm about to watch it for the fourth time :-)

Ben Barnes is very handsome and he is a wonderful actor. He has a natural way to interpreter all the characters that he has played. I enjoyed his performance as Dorian Gray.

You may as well ask that question about 3/4 of the people in acting today. I'm constantly appalled at the ugly no talent people cast in films these days.

_______________________________________
"ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED??!!"

Maximus Decimus Meridius

I'm a totally straight dude but I'm PRET-ty sure chicks would find that guy really good looking. I'd certainly rather look like him than like me.





'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings.

Someone wrote that she's likes a man's man and not a boyish type like Ben Barnes(btw, why did the OP call him Ben Caspain?).


If anything, I imagine Dorian Gray to be this boyish boy dandy type, kind of like the male models on catwalks and NOT some Jason Statham type dude.
Barnes came close to how I would imagine Dorian Gray. I bet there would have been better choices tho.

I was about to say that a young Helmut Berger would have been perfect for the role of Dorian Gray and while I googled his photo I realized he actually DID play Dorian Gray when he was young...lol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNLU7iXQ5ac