Dorian Gray (Das Bildnis des Dorian Gray)

- But it's impossible... - Impossible?

No...

Oh, God!

Oh, God!

- What good will praying do you now? - Shut up!

Haven't you done enough evil in your life?

It was you with that damned portrait!

This story began many years ago in London.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Bone.

I hope you enjoy the show. First we have...

a thrilling dance number for you. Let's begin, thank you!

Weren't we looking for a show suitable for a nursing home?

That's exactly what they need to get the blood circulating again...

Let's go, it'd be better if Aunt Zoe hires a magician.

And even that would be too risky for your aunt.

Half of the nightclubs in London and still nothing suitable.

- I'm going home. - Me too.

- See you at 9AM. - You've been great help!

Aunt wanted something special.

Give the old people a bottle of Scotch.

I think they'd be happier with that.

As is a winged messenger of heaven unto the eyes of mortals...

that fall back to gaze on him when he sails upon the bosom of the air.

O Romeo, Romeo!

Wherefore art thou Romeo?

Deny thy father and refuse thy name...

And I'll no longer be a Capulet.

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;

thou art thyself though, not a Montague.

What's Montague?

O, be some other name!

What's in a name?

That which we call a rose by any other name...

...would smell as sweet!

- Who are you? - The audience.

A little early, don't you think?

The play begins in two days. I'm only rehearsing.

- I'm sorry. - No, don't go.

- Are you an actor? - No!

You have the right look for it.

I'd never remember the lines.

- You'd better get on with it. - Stay if you want...

as long as you're not a critic.

No, I'm a student.

I'm going to take a break.

- Do you want some? - Yes, I'm starving.

Have it.

- What about you? - That's a problem; this is all I have.

And what love can do...

-...thy kinsmen are no stop to me. - If they do see thee, they will murder thee.

Alack, there lies more peril in thine eye than twenty of their swords!

Look thou but sweet, and I am proof against their enmity.

I would not for the world they saw thee here.

I have night's cloak to hide me from their eyes;

And but thou love me, let them find me here.

My life were better ended by their hate Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.

By whose direction found'st thou out this place?

By love, that first did prompt me to inquire.

He lent me counsel, and I lent him eyes.

I am no pilot;

yet, wert thou as far as that vast shore wash'd with the farthest sea,

I would adventure for such merchandise.

Thou knowest the mask of night is on my face; else would a maiden blush...

bepaint my cheek for that which thou hast heard me speak to-night.

Fain would I dwell on form, fain,

fain deny what I have spoke; but farewell complement!

Dost thou love me?

I know thou wilt say 'Ay'; and I will take thy word.

Yet, if thou swear'st, Thou mayst prove false.

At lovers' perjuries, they say love laughs.

O gentle Romeo,

If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully.

Or if thou thinkest I am too quickly won, I'll frown, and be perverse,

and say thee nay, so thou wilt woo;

but else, not for the world.

In truth, fair Montague,

I am too fond, and therefore thou mayst think my haviour light;

But trust me, gentleman,

I'll prove more true than those that have more cunning to be strange.

I should have been more strange, I must confess, but that thou overheard'st,

ere I was ware, my true love's passion.

Wake up!

My being a virgin shocked you, didn't it?

Yes, I was surprised.

A lot of girls are virgins.

Of course! I imagine they must be at first.

They just pretend not to be.

Why... why me?

Because you're beautiful.

But I don't think it was just that, maybe because you...

Because it was clear that you wanted me, but did nothing to have me.

I don't know, but I'm happy.

Are you happy?

Yes!

I'm happy. Very happy.

I live here, with my mother.

- You said you lived outside the city. - I wanted you to stay with me.

You're very honest.

It's better if we always are with one another, even if we have to tell lies...

- to the rest of the world. - I agree.

She's not only very beautiful, she's also talented.

I've no doubt about it.

- You should see her act. - I'd love to, Dorian.

- You know I love strippers. - Go to hell!

- She's not a stripper. - Calm down.

She's a great actress, but does she strip for you?

I won't let you talk about her like that!

Sometimes you really are incredible.

Maybe because you were so pampered growing up.

- You're the world's last true innocent. - Sybil is amazing, fantastic.

She's divine.

Divine.

- I'd like you to meet her. - OK! She's a lovely girl and I'm...

happy for you.

I can't get the lips right.

Stay still, or else I can't do it!

All right, I get it; we won't get anything done today!

Look, look at who it is, Mr. Wotton and his debauched wife.

Let's take a break. We'll continue later.

No, that's enough! I'll take a shower and leave.

They're wonderful, don't you think?

Leave the art critique to me. Everyone knows...

that you hate paintings but love painters.

Basil, I'd like to reserve these paintings for the gallery, all right?

If by reserve you mean buy, of course it's all right, Henry.

Henry, come here.

Come and look at this one.

Even I can see that it's beautiful!

You'd rather not look...

at that one yet. It's not finished.

It's the best you've ever done, Basil.

I didn't know you did portraits.

Actually, I don't. This is the first.

And I'm only doing it...

because the subject is exceptional. An extraordinary combination of beauty...

sensuality and innocence. He's eternally young!

I don't know if he'll be like that forever, but for now he's wonderful.

You must give it to me for the gallery. It would bring fantastic success.

I don't want to exhibit it.

- Why not? - Because I don't want to!

- I'm too attached to it. - Really?

I'm talking about the painting. As for all the rest, my preferences...

haven't changed! I want to keep it here with me for a while.

Then I'll sell it.

Let's hope the market is still interested when you do decide to sell it.

I'm prepared to take that risk.

- Truly extraordinary, Henry! - Too extraordinary.

And look at how he moves!

His name is Dorian Gray.

Dorian Gray!

You probably know his aunt, Mrs. Brandon.

Yes, I know her.

She often comes to my gallery.

Come on, I'll introduce you.

This is Henry Wotton and his wife, Gwendolyn.

Hello.

- Your aunt has mentioned you to me. - Angrily, I imagine!

I don't help out enough with her charity appeals.

Mrs. Brandon is very passionate about helping others.

And why not, if it helps alleviate suffering?

Please, Dorian.

There's something morbid about the young worrying about suffering.

Don't listen to him. Contradicting conventionally held sentiments

is a typically intellectual flirtation; it's an alibi for his vices.

But what is a vice, if not simply a pleasure...

- without shame? - Once again...

-the words of Oscar Wilde... -...badly quoted by Henry Wotton!

- Basil, coming to dinner with us? - I have no intention of inviting him.

Dorian, Basil's is having dinner with us. Coming?

Thank you, but I can't.

He fell in love yesterday, tonight he might get married.

- Or at least have a honeymoon. - Better to go on honeymoon first.

- Marriage ruins everything. - Why get married?

Man marries out of boredom.

Woman out of curiosity. Both end up disappointed.

- What about love? - What love?

Usually it becomes a vicious fight over possessions!

The ideal situation is to enjoy everything and possess nothing!

It's difficult, but one should try.

An olive?

Turn that damned music down, Sybil!

All right.

James.

James, come here.

A kiss.

- You're jealous. - You don't even know who he is.

That's not important to me; I know that I love him. He's my Sir Romeo.

You're incurable, Sybil.

Goodbye, James.

- Sir Romeo is waiting for me. - Goodbye, Sybil.

- Goodbye, Mom! - Goodbye!

Did she talk to you about him?

No, it's a big secret.

It's so romantic!

Why worry?

Actresses always have plenty of admirers. I had dozens.

We need them, James!

- Where are we going? - It's a surprise!

- This is Selby, my estate. - Is it really yours?

My parents left it to me.