Dorian Gray is arrogant. He is pompous, selfish, devastatingly narcissistic, and for much of his life he has never had to think twice about the ramifications of his actions. When the arrival of artist Basil Hallard forces Gray to confront his deepest insecurities, Dorian’s most vulnerable self is imminently revealed. After having traded his righteousness for riches, Dorian Gray becomes faced with many regretable truths. Needing to own up to his actions, Gray must finally learn to deal with the consequences of living a life completely self-obsessed. Gripping with prose so relateable to the many connundrums of growing up, Wilde weaves a narrative of self-desire and self-actualization. A true coming of age tale in a time where the glamour of appearance was as heavy as the currency in your pocket.

オスカー・ワイルドが遺した本作は、耽美主義の極致であり、魂の腐敗を冷徹に描いた傑作です。美貌を保ちながら内面だけが醜悪に歪んでいくドリアンの姿は、外見至上主義の現代にも通じる警鐘と言えます。ワイルド特有の華麗で皮肉な文体は、無垢が欲望へ堕ちる過程を、まるで毒薬のように甘美に彩ります。 映像版では肖像画の変化が視覚的恐怖を煽りますが、原作の真髄は紙の上でしか描けない緻密な心理描写にあります。読者の想像力の中で肥大化する「醜さ」は、映像を超えた戦慄を呼び起こすでしょう。実写で様式美を堪能し、原典で芸術と道徳の相克を紐解く。その往復こそが、本作を味わい尽くす至高の体験です。