With tickets firmly clutched in hand and an umbrella to fight the drizzle we wedged ourselves into the meandering line outside the Castro Theater to catch the first North American glimpse of British director Brian Gilbert's Wilde. It seemed a fitting homecoming of sorts to have Gilbert, who received his film education here in San Francisco, return to the hallowed halls of the Castro Theater for this debut.

Following the mandatory welcomes to the audience and brief introductions of the director and the film's star, Stephen Fry, the film was underway. Steeped in period costumes and sets and glorious detail of the age the trials and tribulations of Oscar Wilde's career unfolded on the screen. As the film progressed, it began to serve less of an autobiographical deliverance of Oscar Wilde's story and more of a poetic offering of the inner, as well as outer, turmoil that can often be associated with being true to yourself. In Wilde's instance, being true to himself had resulted in the generation of gross dishonesty to family, friends, society at large, and in the end a resulting perjury and truly fateful outcome.

Wilde also managed to deliver the tormenting love story of Oscar Wilde's life, his love for both family and Lord Alfred Douglas, with an innocence that makes one truly feel in the characters the pain that love can sometimes bring. Stephen Fry's portrayal of Oscar Wilde is non less than brilliant and a better casting job could not have been done for every character in this film. The witicism's of Wilde flourish throughout the script allowing the story to appeal directly to the audience's intelligence.

Following the screening, Director Brian Gilbert as well as Stepen Fry, and the producers of the film were on hand for an informal Q&A session. Easily as entertaining as the sharp mind of Oscar Wilde presented in the film, were the quips and anecdotes of actor Stephen Fry during the Q&A. Fry enlightened the audience as to a bit more of the history of Wilde's life as well as shared many of his own personal stories and experiences that came about from his association with the production of Wilde. Upon departing the Castro Theater we made our way out to Custer Avenue Stages to bask in the festivities of the Opening Night party. We were showered with a delightful ambience, relaxing music, and a lot of great food and drink supplied by many of the sponsors of the Film Festival, amidst the three working sound stages which had been transformed into Wilde!, Salome and Parisian Cafe. You certainly can't protest a table full of truffles or a plate full of Mediteranean Octopus Salad. It seems the festival, once again, is off to a fantastic start and we are looking forward to the upcoming films in the days ahead.