Count me surprised for 1940s MGM releasing a film like this. We see horror, nuanced acting, and beautiful cinematography. The quail scene alone deserves immortality. Much more to like than dislike in this film.
However, I do wish a couple things were different. One, the score was slapped onto the film. A piano solo had a full orchestra playing over it at one point for no good reason. The film could have introduced piano music as a way to see the inner turmoil of Dorian in a far more effective way than the voice over narration. Secondly, it would have been great to see a really grimy underbelly in London. The contrast between prim-and-proper Dorian with Victorian poverty would have been striking.
However, I do wish a couple things were different. One, the score was slapped onto the film. A piano solo had a full orchestra playing over it at one point for no good reason. The film could have introduced piano music as a way to see the inner turmoil of Dorian in a far more effective way than the voice over narration. Secondly, it would have been great to see a really grimy underbelly in London. The contrast between prim-and-proper Dorian with Victorian poverty would have been striking.