The Irish writer Oscar Wilde returns to London from America and gets married with Constance Lloyd Wilde in the Victorian England. They have two children, Cyril and Vyvyan, and he makes lots of money with his successful plays. He gets close to the young Robbie Ross and "leaves the closet", assuming his homosexuality and having brief affairs with youths. When he meets the corrupt Lord Alfred 'Bosie' Douglas, he falls in love for the young man; but Bosie's father goes to the court accusing the writer "posing sodomite" and Wilde is sentenced to two years of hard labor. His health is affected by the unhealthy conditions in prison and he has a short life in Paris after being discharged from the imprisonment.

'Sting' was considered for a cameo role and Theresa Russell was considered for the part of Wilde's wife.

Oscar Wilde:
I do believe in anything, provided it is incredible. That's why I intend to die a Catholic, though I never could live as one.

Anachronisms: When Oscar Wilde visits his wife's grave near Genoa, the headstone states "Wife of Oscar Wilde". It originally stated only "Constance Mary, daughter of Horace Lloyd, Q.C." and "Wife of Oscar Wilde" was not added until later.