Rating: 
Summary: A lot of fun, but...
Review: Fairly intelligent movie. From the ads I was expecting more of a romantic comedy than intrigue, but overall this was fun. I was only disappointed by the ending; it seemed sudden and anticlimactic.
Rating: 
Summary: Where's the famous "bracelet scene" from Wilde's play?!!
Review: This movie would've been perfect if the filmmaker hadn't left out the very important and hugely delicious "bracelet scene" from Wilde's original play. If you've read the play, you'll know which scene I mean. The point and beauty of Wilde's play is that the blackmailer (Mrs Cheveley, who thinks she's too clever for everyone) gets blackmailed in return (in the scene where the bracelet plays a major part). The tagline of Wilde's play (in the backcover of the Penguin Books edition I own) reads: "In order to be a successful blackmailer, one's own reputation must be beyond reproach". In Wilde's play, the "bracelet scene" involves the cool Lord Goring and the scheming Mrs Cheveley. Why, why was the scene omitted from the movie?! Did the filmmaker find it difficult to produce the special-clasp bracelet? As a result, the movie fails to capture the most important point of the play and becomes only an average fare with a plot that fizzles out in the end. Instead of an embarrassed and defeated Mrs Cheveley who unexpectedly gets a taste of her own medicine (as in Wilde's play), the movie gives us a rather smug, victorious (and heaven forbid, almost "virtuous") Mrs Cheveley in the end. This is totally different from what Wilde intended in his play and I find the omission of the "bracelet scene" to be a bad and unforgivable mistake on the filmmaker's part. Ugh! Hugely dissapointing!Watch the movie if you must, for its fine cast, beautiful costumes and witty lines (many taken verbatim from the play, of course). Just don't expect to experience the 'true spirit' of Wilde's play. The omission of the "bracelet scene" certainly took away all my enjoyment of this adaptation.
Rating: 
Summary: great fun
Review: rupert evertt is too classy..the movie is a great intellectual comedy..a must see movie..
Rating:
Summary: 5 Stars is NOT Enough!
Review: This 1999 British production (with a running time of 97 minutes) is without a doubt the most deliciously witty film I have ever seen, but then based as it is on Oscar Wilde's play, I would expect no less. Wilde's gift for wit is, even now, unsurpassed, and for all the liberties taken with this film, it's wonderful to see that so much of the original wit and dialogue has remained intact. The film takes place in London in 1895. At issue is the habit some women had of idolizing their husbands--of putting them on pedestals and creating ideals out of them, with their love being directly proportional to the perceived perfection of their husbands. The problems inherent in such a relationship are obvious; for one thing, as the film highlights, the higher a man has been raised, the harder he can expect to fall. The film revolves around Sir Robert Chiltern (Jeremy Northam), a Member of Parliament and "ideal husband," and his seemingly faultless wife, Gertrude (Cate Blanchett). But Sir Robert is not, of course, an "ideal." Sad to say, he is a mere mortal with feet of clay whose very marriage depends upon his wife as she discovers her husband's imperfection, her own imperfection, and whether or not she can love a man who is a mere flawed mortal. I don't wish to give the story away. Suffice it to say, it is absolutely delightful and (for the most part) consummately acted. Although the story revolves around the Chilterns, the central character is really Lord Goring (Rupert Everett), a very content, witty, idle, and carefree bachelor whose time has come to marry, or so his father Lord Caversham has decided. For those familiar with the play, I must emphasise that this is a film. It is not a film of the play. Not being restricted, therefore, in place and time as live theatre is, justifiable liberties have been taken to create something visually appealing and exciting in a way that Wilde could never have conceived possible. A wealth of different settings have been utilised (rather than just three), and events that were merely alluded to in the play have been dramatised (by flashback in one instance). Though much of the dialogue is (thankfully) verbatim, it has been trimmed back here and there and occasionally has not been placed where it occurs in the play. The gravest liberty, however, has been to remove the part wherein one of the characters uses a brooch as a bargaining chip with a certain blackmailer. Instead the film has these two characters reaching a different arrangement, one which relies upon the outcome of a particular Parliamentary speech. Whether justifiable or not, I did find that this alteration extended the suspense and added an additional (and quite entertaining) reason for interest in the outcome of the speech, and it was certainly a plausible arrangement in view of the proposal the blackmailer had first made. Whether or not one is an Oscar Wilde purist, this is a film to be enjoyed, for it is a treasure indeed to find a show that is at heart a comedy which does not descend into silliness. At a time when most films are geared towards adolescents (or those with like mentalities), this film is a refreshing, delicious treat--a witty and wonderful feast for the intellect. Very highly recommended to anyone who enjoys the wit of Oscar Wilde, period productions, or to anyone who is simply looking for an intelligent, entertaining and thoroughly satisfying comedy. It's definitely not one to be missed!
Rating:
Summary: Great movie!
Review: What a neat movie this is! Wilde combines humor with drama in this terrific story about blackmail and love. The text is wonderfully clever and witty, and Rupert Everett steals the show in his funny and lovable conciously conceited character. Minnie Driver is also brilliant as his opposite. This movie is also very clean other than a very brief and vague part during the credits at the beginning - safe for anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Amusing & Witty...
Review: An Ideal Husband is based on Oscar Wilde's play with the same name, which is a witty comedy about black mail, presumptions, and the search for true love. The film has the same elements and is set in the British sophisticated upper-class society where "there are those who seek a husband and those who hide from them." In addition, there is a source of unreliable information and black mail that increases the chances for assumptions. Entering the story with this in mind, there will be presumptuous errors that can be fatal for relationships, careers, and friendships. The films' excellent cast and the wit from Oscar Wilde is tied together in an amusing cinematic experience.
Rating:
Summary: A classical romp with the British upper class
Review: Witty repartee abounds in this film filled with scheming, blackmail, and more than a hint of dishonor. Starring the ever so dashing Rupert Everett, as the cad that everyone loves, some more than others. Also starring Cate Blanchette, Julianne Moore, Minnie Driver and Jeremy Northam. Exquisite dialogue, refreshing and aptly delivered by this star studded cast. Kelsana 8/8/02
Rating:
Summary: witty, entertaining, and engaging... great costumes too!
Review: I adore costume drama, and especially that set in england. This movie rates high on my list for the witty dialogue and the intriguing antics of Mrs. Chievely, who is one shrewd manipulative woman, who can smile and appear perfectly charming while doing vile things. Calculating, worldly, and self-centered, she enjoys creating scandals in other people's lives and it is wonderful to see how she is thwarted throught the ingenuity of Lord Goring, the lazy goodlooking rich bachelor who seems like he's good for nothing, but is really a kind-hearted, clever guy. The romance between him and his friend's sister is sweet... I love the gay repartee. They're teasing of each other matches perfectly. Great film that you're sure to enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: True to the Play
Review: The story of the politician Robert Chilton who is threatened by a woman to expose his past should he not give a public address that serves her interests. His friend becomes entangled in the blackmail and is misunderstood by the politician while he tries to rescues him from this woman. The politian's worst fear is the loss of his wife's respect, which is also the concern of his friend Lord Goring. The movie is very true to Oscar Wilde's play. The wit in the conversations, the beauty of the costumes and decorative art, and the actors' expressions were all commendable. I did not like Sir Robert's sister because her looks did not quite match the simplicity of her character. I would have given it five stars had she not been in this movie.
Rating:
Summary: RUN, DON'T WALK, FOR THE VHS/DVD OF THIS FILM!...
Review: One may wish to watch this movie many times, for there are witticisms galore, so much so that one can hardly keep up with them. While laughing at one, another takes place, and so on. The dialogue is glittering. This is the greatest production of an Oscar Wilde play I have ever seen, and leaves me on pins and needles waiting for the release later this year of The Importance of Being Earnest because it also stars an actor who seems born to perform in Wilde's plays/movies: Rupert Everett. The performances: wonderful all. Rupert Everett's work nears the genius level. Jeremy Northam as a not-so-perfect parliamentarian is great. John Wood as his father stands out. And there are the ever-so-essential ladies: Cate Blanchett as Northam's wife (would you believe she is Australian?), who believes she has a perfect husband. Julianne Moore as one of the most charmingly wicked women ever to grace the screen (would you believe she is from North Carolina?), and the very strong presence of Minnie Driver (yes, she actually is from England). All together, they create an effervescent champagne of a film. The perfect find out they are not so perfect. The expecters of perfection find out they themselves are also not so perfect. Love finally lowers its standards to include the imperfection of the beloved. Even the loser at evildoing turns out to have an unexpected side to her. This is the film's theme. The actors and the director of this film, however, ironically bring this film close to, if not at, the peak of perfection. The final scene is an ode to joy. Watch it and have fun!
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