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Everybody has flaws

"An Ideal Husband," while not entirely faithful to the Oscar Wilde play of the same name, is an enjoyable period film with plenty of snappy dialogue, first-rate actors and gorgeous costumes and set pieces.

Sir Robert Chiltern (Jeremy Northam) seems to have it all -- a flourishing career in Parliament, his beautiful and perfect wife Lady Gertrude (Cate Blanchett), and the universal respect given to a man with a perfect reputation. He has a vivacious sister (Minnie Driver) and is pals with a charming, womanizing, ironic and very bored playboy, Lord Goring (Rupert Everett).

But when a certain Mrs. Cheveley arrives in London from Vienna, things take a sudden turn for the worst. Charming and cultured, she's also devious and cold-blooded. And worst of all, she has Robert's dirty little secret, a financial scam from years ago. She'll give him the proof of his misdeed, but only if he sacrifices his principles and supports the Suez Canal motion. Otherwise, she'll make the letter public and wreck his marriage and his career. It's up to Lord Goring to get his pal out of trouble...

"An Ideal Husband" is an enjoyable and witty play, with a plot that twists right up to the final scenes and a genuinely romantic subplot. (As an extra bonus, we see the characters watching the play "Importance of Being Earnest" -- another Wilde play) The study of morality, payback for one's sins, and the power of words is much more interesting than the typical period-dress drama.

The script is quite well-written, well-paced except for a few exceptions. In one early scene Everett rattles off a few witty phrases; the problem is that they feel strung together and flung out just to prove "See? This is a witty, ironic movie!". Oscar Wilde's witticisms should not be delivered in a monotone. The costumes are exquisite, simply gorgeous, but thankfully never overwhelm the actors. Cate Blanchett's gowns in particular are beautifully-made. The interiors, furniture and costumes are all very detailed in the manner of "Age of Innocence."

Jeremy Northam is quite good as Robert, a guy torn between self-preservation and his own scruples; Cate Blanchett is outstanding, giving her character evident flaws while making her entirely, completely sympathetic. Rupert Everett has some flat moments, especially near the beginning (he also has zero chemistry with Driver), but overall is acceptable as a clever playboy whose ambition is to accomplish nothing at all. Julianne Moore is excellent as well, making Mrs. Chevely utterly slimy and charming. Minnie Driver is a problem, though. She seems to be completely befuddled by her historical dialogue (her witty lines fall completely flat and none of them seem natural, like Blanchett's are) and moves like a too-quick puppet.

No person is perfect, and the movie isn't either. But Blanchett, Moore and Northam are excellent and the movie is a visual feast. A pleasant diversion.

When wit was the only blunt instrument to fear...

Going into this with my girlfriend, I feared a chick flick. I was very happily surprised. This entertaining film is a well-needed change from the violent, negative, simple-mindedly sarcastic fare that is the norm today.Jeremy Northam plays a similar role in another superbly crafted period piece, "The Winslow Boy," recently remade by David Mamet.

Writing Creates Reality

Spoilers herein.This is lovely. It is lovely if you are into acting: the men involved superbly set a foundation for the two women Cate and Julianne who are among our greatest living actors. These women duel but not in the uninteresting way by butting heads. (For egregious examples of this see how Denzel works.) Instead, what they do is create ever high levels of annotation on the situation, each at a higher level of abstraction than before, all the while keeping the plate spinning form the prior effort. This is not a profound vehicle by any means, but it is profound acting.This project is also lovely if you love language. Wilde knew how to form the most succinct quips, much better than Shaw, his only competition. Most of this is framed as dialog that flies back and forth almost too fast. Wilde is where Capra found his notion of screwball, so in a sense almost everything we see on screen is influenced by Wilde's few plays.This project is also lovely if you are into self-reference as the basis of art, that kind of art that defines how we advance our ability to abstract, especially how to abstract cool soft stuff like love. Here, we have Wilde writing about the dangers of the written word; how one committed, words constrain every element of everything that follows. The best we can do in life (he seems to say) is to just begin writing it and adapt to the consequences. (We have a key scene with our friends attending a play, another Wilde one. We have another key scene with Northam `performing.')A fine man. An ideal author.Ted's Evaluation -- 3 of 4: Worth watching.

Superb filmmaking

To say that this film is a filmmaking tour de force would be a great injustice. It is far better than that. Oliver Parker's revitalizing of Oscar Wilde's classic play is filmmaking at its finest.Every element of this film is superlative. Wilde's story as adapted to the screen by Parker is witty, intelligent and engaging from start to finish. Seldom can you find a story that attempts to be a romantic comedy, a tale of duplicity blackmail and betrayal, and a drama of political intrigue, and succeeds so well on all counts.The intricate weave of deception, manipulation and double entendre along with comic misperception, irony and rapier witted dialogue are delicious and classic Wilde. This is a film you will want to see again and again, just to discover all the lines within the lines.I cannot say enough about the brilliance of Oliver Parker's direction in this film. He has captured late 19th Century aristocratic England with vivid and rich images that put the viewer right into the period. David Johnson's cinematography is fantastic, with every scene working well as to lighting and color. The beautiful blend of colors in the costumes and the set always looked like they belonged together. Parker also provides numerous interesting camera angles that help dramatize the scenes. It serves to remind us that glorious films can still be made relying on the creative eye of the director rather than special effects.The acting was delightful. Rupert Everett, as the self absorbed Lord Arthur Goring, delivers an exquisite performance as the unscrupulous rogue upon whom the mantle of truth and honor is laid.Julianne Moore was delightful as the evil and cunning Mrs. Cheveley. As cold, manipulative and heartless as she is with Chiltern and Lady Chiltern, she is that vulnerable and helpless with Lord Goring, for whom she has long held a flame. Moore handles this emotional juggling act with great skill and you find yourself simultaneously loving her ingeniousness and hating her treachery.Cate Blanchett turns in another wonderful performance as the oh-so-perfect, Lady Gertrud Chiltern. Jeremy Northam is also excellent as Robert Chiltern, the man of untouchable character with a scandalous secret in his past. Even Minnie Driver is charming as Robert's sister.This is a terrific film for the refined viewer who appreciates all aspects of filmmaking. Even for those not into the art of filmmaking, it is simply great entertainment. I can think of no negative criticism of it. It is well written, directed, photographed and acted. It is filmmaking the way it was meant to be. A perfect 10.

An Ideal Movie

What a delightful, civilized, intriguing, superbly performed motion picture. It sets a high standard for the comedy of manners genre. I only regret I watched it live and did not tape it because it's a film I want on my shelf. There are so many bad movies it is a refreshing delight to see a superb one!

Got to Love Those English Actors

I have to say I was a bit disappointed with AIH. I am a total anglophile, but this movie seemed a little flat to me. I couldn't hear/understand half the dialogue and the plot was straight out of a dime regency romance novel. I did think that the actors, for the most part, did an excellent job with what they had to work with. Particularly Jeremy Northam (whom I've had a crush on ever since seeing him in London 6 years ago) and Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth). This moving would be best on video where you can rewind to see what you've missed in dialogue.

Oscar Wilde at his best

For any fan of British satire and humour, Oscar Wilde is always a must. This production of one of his less well known plays is a shining gem in the slew of period peices this year. The actors, of course, were chosen perfectly. Moore yet again shines in her versatility, as a black hearted, powerful woman engaging in blackmail. Cate Blanchet is magnificent as usual, also demonstrating her range in acting. The direction of the film shines, the costumes are magnificent, and the little jokes that Wilde inserts about his own plays and performences (i.e. the performance of The Importance of Being Earnest as part of the plot in this script) are done magnificently. A must see for any anglophile, but if you have no wit (or intelligence), stay away... you'll be lost in the dark.

A Fun Movie To Watch

This movie is so much fun to watch for you aren't sure what will happen in the end. I kept thinking how I wish the male star was in true life a romantic lover of women, for he gave such a great performance as a romantic leading male star. We women sure are missing out on having good leading males in the romantic catagories. There are about six really good romantic leading men. Nevertheless, you will enjoy this movie and will find the story line good. The females actors did an excellent job with their parts. I liked it very much.

Terrible

It takes a certain degree of incompetence to strip an Oscar Wilde play of wit and focus. Every single line is read slowly and seriously, - even Gorings. The story is unsuccessfully split over countless expensive 19th century locations, giving it the slow grandiosity of a costume drama, rather than the speed of a farce.

Less than sparkling

Must admit that on balance I prefer my own reading of the play rather than this version. Wilde's humour seemed less than sparkling. Julianne Moore was OK as the scheming, obnoxious, red-haired Mrs Cheeveley but the rest of the cast seemed to have their minds elsewhere. The incidental music was especially annoying as was the angle Rupert Everett kept carrying his hand, flaring his nostrils would have been enough.

A wonderful, entertaining movie

I loved this movie as I found the charactors to be very engaging, the acting to be top notch, and the story to be quite charming and witty. The scenery is lovely and the actors are attractive as well. It also had some nice thems - loyalty, committment, and honesty (in the end.).

Very, very nice period piece. Tremendous job by all involved.

Very Enjoyable Film

This is a very enjoyable movie; the costumes are gorgeous, the lighting, sets and directing wonderfully done, and the script--which is basically very simple--made witty and enjoyable by some very fine actors. Rupert Everett is simply superb as the idle, eternal bachelor and witty charmer with a heart of gold. He steals the show, as he does in every movie I've seen him in -- he is just such a joy to watch. Julianne Moore does some of the finest acting I have ever seen from her. I am not overly fond of her as an actor, but this is the first movie in which I have really appreciated her talents. She plays the calculating, mysterious schemer/blackmailer to a "T," and her British accent was quite impeccable. I swear, Cate Blanchett is like a chameleon - she makes every part that she is in look like it was written just for her. She is such a talented actress.Because the film is set in Victorian England, some might find its pace rather slow and dull, especially those who are action lovers. But if you love a fine period piece, and wish to enjoy a lighthearted, witty romantic/comedy, then definitely see this movie.

Good, but it could have been great

If I weren't so lazy, I would have checked the original play to see if my favorite line from the movie was in it:Goring's father: I use nothing but my common sense. Goring: So my mother tells me.Even if was concocted for the film, that line still contains the essence of Wilde and the essence of all modern British humor, for which, I should say, I'm a major sucker. While watching An Ideal Husband, I didn't object to the lack of suspense as long as Rupert Everett was working his way around those Wilde lines, which he does as well as anyone I've ever heard.I used to think Stephen Fry was Wilde on earth, but Fry is something wonderfully different -- Everett is Wilde on earth, or at least the actor that Wilde should have had around to deliver those lines when he wrote them. I first saw Everett in The Madness of King George, for which he put on weight. Every review of that film mentioned this; I thought the attention excessive, but when I saw him lying shirtless in a sauna, I understood. The man is, shall we say, cut. I can only imagine the effect of that scene on straight women or gay men -- probably something akin to the effect Greta Scacchi's "I think we're alone now" smile at the end of The Coca-Cola Kid has on me.An Ideal Husband is full of good performances, with one glaring exception: the usually great Julianne Moore. Her scenes are curiously leaden, and Parker -- whose fault this may be -- has the camera linger over her as though the exposure will convince us how evil she is. The one exception is her scene with Everett, which has a real "Will he sleep with the enemy?" tension. It may be that Moore was just outclassed by the Brits, who are born to this stuff.Cate Blanchett, whom I've seen in three movies, two of which were British period pieces, continues to amaze me with her range.The unsung hero of the movie is Jeremy Northam, who takes a thankless role -- the man in the play who isn't the Oscar Wilde figure -- and makes it emotionally compelling. He is responsible for the play's only real suspense and emotion, since the rest is word games, more or less.All of which leads me to blame the production's shortcomings on its writer/director, Oliver Parker. He seems to have squandered an outstanding cast. The play's final scene is played as a series of French scenes -- a film term for a series of different scenes in the same location -- and this kills any momentum that scene might have had.Three out of four stars, I say, which makes it better than 90% of the movies out there.

Really Really Really Well Done

Wow -- a fun, playfully barbed play by Oscar Wilde is magnificently translated to the screen. This movie is a delight from beginning to end.
Rupert Everett -- who usually annoys the hell out of me with his constant mumbling -- is the perfect Lord Goring. The rest of the cast is in top form.Of course, anyone who thinks AMERICAN PIE, WEEKEND AT BERNIES, and BOWFINGER are "good movies" will be pretty much in agony watching this one. But for everyone with a full set of functioning brain cells -- AN IDEAL HUSBAND is perfect entertainment.

At last, adult entertainment!

Boy, did I enjoy this movie. I admit to being sick of naked actors and actresses, explosions, and special effects, and this movie has NONE of those! What it DOES have is wonderful dialogue wonderfully deoivered by some terrific actors, excellent period feeling of London 100 years ago, and an actual STORY. And Rupert Everett's portrayal of a person of questionalble character who turns out to be everyone's is irresistible. He's just wonderful, and so is the film.

A treat; Oscar would approve.

This screen version of the Oscar Wilde play is gorgeous to look at, has an all-star cast and opens out the action superbly. I'm still not quite sure what audience the producers hoped to attract but then who would ever have guessed a movie entitle "Shakespeare in Love" would win the Oscar as the year's best picture.Of course, Wilde's original play isn't quite in "The Importance of Being Earnest" class, (and in a nice touch the characters here attend a performance of that very play), but director Oliver Parker pulls out all the stops and the end result is very entertaining. The epigrammatic Wilde character is Lord Goring and Rupert Everett fits the part like a well-tailored glove but again it's the women who hold court and both Cate Blanchett, (Lady Chiltern), and Julianne Moore, (the very devious Mrs. Cheveley), are excellent while Jeremy Northam is a surprisingly effective Sir Robert. Indeed. it's hard to fault the piece. I'm sure and intelligent and grown-up audience will agree.

Mr Oscar Wilde - a triumph of style over substance.

Mr Oscar Wilde was the Noel Coward of his day.A few entertaining plays full of bon mots,some fairly excruciating poetry (The Ballad of Reading Gaol?Come on,you're in prison - deal with it),some prose of varying quality and a personal life that scandalised the Society of the time. Fortunately for Sir Noel he lived in a slightly more tolerant age and ended up a British Institution,whereas the unfortunate Oscar ended up in a British Institution. Sometimes a talent to amuse just isn't enough. Mr Wilde was what was known in less enlightened times as a "Raging Queen",and when he seduced the pretty son of a peer of the realm,the thin veneer of tolerance that surrounded his circle was strained to breaking point.Referred to publicly as a "somdomite"(sic) by the peer,Wilde, against the advice of his friends,sued in a moment of arrogance he was to live to regret. He is widely regarded as a martyr to Victorian hypocrisy and his posthumous reputation has grown with the acceptance of sexual diversity and now stands at its peak.Future literary critics may take a more cold -eyed view of this minor Victorian playwright with a penchant for borrowing other people's one-liners.Forty years ago Wilde stood a long way behind his near contemporary and fellow Irishman George Bernard Shaw a man of infinitely more depth,versatility and intellectual acuity. Today's sound-byte society is far more comfortable with Wilde's instantly accessible cellophane-wrapped drawing room jokiness. This reached its apotheosis in "An ideal husband",which,along with "Lady Windermere's fan" and "The importance of being earnest" is surely in production somewhere in the world 24/7 - if not it certainly seems like it. So to the latest movie version,and the first question you have to ask yourself is why?I suppose it's rather like asking why Liz Taylor buys so much jewellery.....because she can.She doesn't need any more diamonds and the world doesn't need another "An ideal husband",so go figure. It's not that the film's bad,it's just ....well...unnecessary really. No new ground is broken,none of the performances are more than party-pieces,the costumes are nice,you almost feel there should be a little notice "Cigarettes by de Reszke" down amongst the wines and spirits........ It's all very clever and highly polished,rather like the characters in the play itself,but just a tad shallow.In Shaw's work the characters speak their own words,Wilde's creations merely parrot his epigrams. With Wilde's star still in the ascendancy perhaps a re-assessment of GBS is overdue,I suggest a prestige production of "Mrs Warren's profession" might be more of a challenge for Mesdames Blanchett and co. instead of sleep-walking through overfamiliar fare.

The Aspects of Searching for that Ideal Husband

I thought this movie was extremly funny and interesting. Minnie Driver and Rupert Evert form a wonderful couple full of chemistry and laughter. A great date movie.

An "Ideal" Play

If you liked THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST, then you'll love this romantic comedy/ social satire set in the same time period--Victorian England. I am teaching both plays in my AP course, and I feel they should be seen and not just read. The casting is excellent and the dialogue is as Wilde intended--an excellent screenplay brilliantly brought to life by the actors.

One of my all time favorites now.

Charming, witty, clever. This is a movie I find myself watching over and over again. Each time anticipating deliciously delivered line and witticism. Incredible dialogue and delivery. I am fascintated by the actors abilities to remember, much less deliver some of these lines. If Romantic comedies are your cup of tea, this movie should be at the top of your list.