An Ideal Husband

Rating:
Summary: Well Done, Oscar!
Review: Wit, style, and an understated sense of comedy make The Ideal Husband a film every library should include. Rupert Everett as Lord Goring is idle, rich, and devastatingly handsome -- and, he is single. Every woman in London should be lined up outside his door, but then, that would be a Hollywood movie instead of a perfect British comedy of errors. Oscar Wilde had no match when it came to writing drawing room comedy about the foibles of the class conscious Brits in the 19th century. This film gives a fine lesson of how comedy does not have to be falling down slapstick nor cretin teenage fart humor to be successful on screen. It is elegant and riotous.

Jeremy Notham is Robert, an ambitious and rising politician with a secret in his past. Cate Blanchett as Gertrude, his Lady wife is above reproach with an inflexible sense of self-richousness of others. With Minnie Driver and American Julianne Moore superbly cast against type in the role of the the dubious Mrs. Cheevly, this cast perfectly translates Wilde's humor to screen. It is Rupert Everett however, who carries the film with a performance that should have won him more recognition than it did. Overall, The Ideal Husband is one of the best ensemble performances of the year. Visual settings convey the Victorian sensibility without squeeky clean idealism that plagues many of the Ivory/Merchant productions. I saw this film in the theater when it first opened and knew then it was going to be successful because it presented a story we all could identify with even after a century. Good writing never goes out of style. Great writing is forever. Well done, Oscar!

Rating:
Summary: A Serene Feast
Review: An Ideal Husband is a serene feast of exquisite language and subtle intrigues. This comedy of manners by Oscar Wilde has been given its just due in the production starring Rupert Everett, Julianne Moore, Cate Blanchett, Minnie Driver, and Jeremy Northam. All of these actors are excellent in their parts, but Moore and Everett stand out in their roles of the evil blackmailer with the heart of gold and the shallow ne'er-do-well whose crafty brilliance saves the day. It would also be an injustice to write about the film without mentioning John Wood who plays Everett's exasperated father. One might say that his performance is "over the top," but that is exactly what is needed for the part. The film starts very slowly, so you must have patience in order to be rewarded. I do not normally suggest that the special features be viewed before watching the film, but some might be helped in their appreciation of the film by viewing the featurette included on the DVD for it serves as a worthy preface for the film. It is an irony of history that, at the time of writing this play, Wilde was on his way to his trial for being a homosexual and offending some of the "manners" he so expertly barbed. Wilde understood our need to comply with the "rules" of society, and his insights are just as applicable in today's times. Enjoy the film as a look at history and as a reminder that social attitudes continue to exert considerable influence upon human behavior.

Rating:
Summary: Impressive and unforgettable.
Review: A lovely and wittily humorous period comedy set at the turn of the 19th century, delving into themes of romance, hypocrisy, and betrayal among the finest aristocracy. Splendid costumes design and detailed backdrop settings plus a sumptuous pick of casting so "appetizing" even Oscar Wilde could have been happy with.

Sir Robert Chiltern (handsome Jeremy Northam), a well reputated influential politician and an English gentleman, is the ideal husband for the graceful Lady Chiltern (the very gorgeous Cate Blanchette). They have a widely envied perfect marriage until the charming Mrs. Cheveley (an immaculate Julianne Moore) appears with a threat to reveal a fateful secret from Chiltern's past so he will agree to support a crucial political movement. And that would be up to Chiltern's best pal the extravagant playboy Lord Goring (suave Rupert Everett) to save him, however womanizing the plot is.

Directed by Oliver Parker (also for THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST lately), this film remains the most impressive and unforgettable big screen play of Wilde's albeit the famous "bracelet scene" is dismissed (to quote a note from reviewer Anna-Pearce).

Rating:
Summary: Witty Dialogue, Great Acting Ensemble
Review: If you're as tired as I am with the Action/Special effects explosion in Hollywood, An Ideal Husband will prove to boost your low opinion of the film industry. Beautifully cast, written, and directed, it's no wonder why it's been nominated for two Golden Globe Awards. The first of course, going to the actor, Rupert Everett. He delivers his lines with such an aire and grace of an English gentleman and takes such care to wrap each word in a delightful sarcastic tone-- which fits his character perfectly. Although he is, in some ways, considered a nasty man of arrogance, Everett's charm shines through and draws the viewer into his oh so romantic embrace. The rest of the cast is equally entertaining--mostly because they mesh so well together. The period costumes and cinematography are also important to note. The movement from scene to scene, the juxtaposition of the placement of the characters in the scenes are particularly amusing to watch. Enough is enough already. If you don't mind watching "period" films, this is a breath of fresh air to the genre.

Rating:
Summary: Superb film updates and improves upon Wilde play
Review: Marvelous film adaptation of a work originally written by Oscar Wilde for the stage a century ago. The screenplay captures the essence of Wilde's sly, witty satire on social mores and hypocrisies, and retains his most memorable "bon mots" (e.g., "To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance" and "Distressingly little time for sloth or idleness"), while quite wisely scrapping some late Victorian/early Edwardian-era views that would not go over well with today's audiences (e.g., "A man's life is of more value than a woman's. It has larger issues, wider scope, greater ambitions. A woman's life revolves in curves of emotions.") The talented cast is perfectly attuned to the material, except for Minnie Driver, whose speech and gestures are a bit too coarse for the time period and social class she is supposed to be portraying. The two actors cast in the relatively minor roles of Lord Goring's father and his butler play their parts to hilarious but subtle perfection. Best of all, though, is Rupert Everett, who gives a delicately shaded performance as the witty, elegant Lord Goring--the quintessential Wildean dandy who reluctantly overcomes his languor and cynicism long enough to rescue his more "moral" friends from their own lies and hypocrisies. With his effortless charm, magnetism, and range of acting skills, Everett deserves to be cast in more leading man roles.

Rating:
Summary: A Joy to Watch
Review: What a wonderful movie adaptation this is! The casting is perfectly moulded for the film. Cate Blanchett as Lady Chittern is simple wonderful. I adore Cate Blanchett, especially in her other film Elizabeth. Good quality acting from her in this film. I was also introduced to Julianne Moore in this film. I didnt know much about her but she stole the entire film. She made her character seem so overwhelmingly powerful and evil who has a sexy and ruthless side. She really made this film a joy to watch.

However, i dont rate Minnie Driver's acting. Her acting was average but its didnt come to life. She didnt put any drama into her lines. She didnt try to stand out and make herself known in this film. The costumes were out of this world. They were breathtakingly gorgeous!!!!! Everyone, especially Blanchett looked stunning and Julianne looked really good too.

Overall, i think this is a brilliant film. It is a shame that Minnie Driver was in it too. She didnt do anything spectacular in this film. Her acting was extremely weak in this film and was crumbled immediately under the professionalism of Blanchett and Moore.

Rating:
Summary: "Why, this is the wittiest screenplay I've ever heard!"
Review: That's what I thought to myself as I sat in the theatre, enjoying myself tremendously at "An Ideal Husband". And then, as the end credits rolled by, came the reason why it was such a good movie: "adapted from a play by Oscar Wilde". Adapted my foot! This must be pretty darn much lifted right out of Wilde's own play, and thank God it was!

The story concerns the blackmail plot(s) of the devious Julianne Moore as she attempts to get parliament to vote in favor of her nefarious scheme. She's got the goods on the supposedly upstanding Jeremy Northrup and all the stress is threatening the security of his happy home with wife Cate Blanchett. And then there's his sister Minnie Driver, who's been mooning over eligible bachelor Rupert Everett, who also just happens to be an intimate of Cate--but all perfectly innocent, mind you (or is it?), well that's the point of blackmail and gossip.

By all means, if you want to have a wonderful romp through nineteenth century London manners, do check out "An Ideal Husband"--you'll have a great time!

Rating:
Summary: "To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance."
Review: AN IDEAL HUSBAND, from Oscar Wilde's sparkling and witty play of the same name, was adapted for the screen by Oliver Parker, the same man who adapted Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. While I enjoyed THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, I think Parker did a much better job with AN IDEAL HUSBAND since the plot is more convoluted, the pacing faster and the characterization deeper.

AN IDEAL HUSBAND centers around two men, one all ready a husband, the other still looking (or being looked at). Sir Robert Chiltern (Jeremy Northam) appears to be the perfect husband, not only to his wife, Lady Gertrude (Cate Blanchett), but also to others in the high society circles in which Lord and Lady Chiltern move. Sir Robert is wealthy, respected and he is a fast-rising politician who hopes to gain a seat in Parliament when the next election rolls around. To that end, he is planning to address the House regarding a shady canal project in Argentina. Of course, being the fine, upstanding citizen that Robert is, he plans on condemning the project.

Enter Mrs. Laura Cheveley (Julianne Moore). Laura has her own reasons why she both wants and needs Parliament to approve the canal project and she is sure she has the means of forcing Sir Robert to comply with her wishes. As perfect, and perfectly impeccable, as Sir Robert looks, he does have a skeleton in his closet. His wealth wasn't obtained honorably and Laura has the proof in the form of a letter. Laura, a devious and sly woman who usually gets what she wants, certainly isn't above blackmail and she lets Sir Robert know it.

Robert turns to his best friend, Lord Arthur Goring (Rupert Everett), a man who can be charming and witty and kind, but more often than not, is drunk and arrogant and lazy. If anyone can charm that letter away from Laura, it's Arthur. This might sound rather like drama or even (horrors) melodrama, but this is Oscar Wilde...it's most definitely comedy, but comedy with plenty of complications. Some of the most hilarious moments occur when Sir Arthur is speaking to his manservant, Phipps (Peter Vaughan).

While Gertrude considers Robert an ideal husband, Laura begins to think that Arthur definitely has the makings of one. Arthur, though, has other ideas and his interests, and his heart, lie with Robert's sister, Mabel (Minnie Driver). While Arthur is trying to figure out if and how he would make an ideal husband for Mabel, his own father, the Earl of Caversham (John Wood) keeps telling him to "get on with it" and "do something with his life,"i.e., get married.

To his great credit, Oliver Parker has managed to translate almost all of Wilde's best witticisms from the play into his screenplay, and he's used a very light touch, something comedy like this needs. A film needs more than sparkling witticisms to keep it afloat, however, but this one, unlike THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, definitely has it all, though like THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, the dialogue is the standout. In fact, it's so sparkling and always fresh that it makes one wonder just how Wilde managed it.

Oliver Parker has assembled a perfect cast for AN IDEAL HUSBAND. The very underrated Rupert Everett is wonderful as he discovers just who and what he is, and Jeremy Northam is just as good as a man who must learn to live with the consequences of his actions. Julianne Moore, though not quite convincing as an upper crust Englishwoman, is so sly and devious that it didn't matter that her accent or mannerisms were a bit more American than British. Cate Blanchett is perfect in her role and seemed very comfortable with it and Minnie Driver is simply wonderful. She says volumes with her facial expressions alone. She and Everett were my favorites in this film.

The costumes and sets were gorgeous without being overdone and the cinematography was perfect.

AN IDEAL HUSBAND is a perfect period piece and it's too bad that it's been all but eclipsed by mindless action/adventure films and thrillers. Would be filmmakers and actors, as well as writers, can learn a lot with films like AN IDEAL HUSBAND.

AN IDEAL HUSBAND is one of my favorite DVDs and I think any fan of Oscar Wilde, period pieces or romantic comedies, once they see this film, is going to have to own it, just as I did. I can recommend it without hesitation or reservation of any kind.

Rating:
Summary: A Disappointment
Review: While I love British period movies and usually adore Wilde comedy, this movie left me less than amused. Despite a stellar cast and great costumes and locations, this movie simply isn't funny. Rupert Holmes and Minnie Driver, normally wonderful, both look strained and the dialog forced. I would save your time and money. I recommend the recently released "The Importance of Being Earnest" but not this dog.

Rating:
Summary: Everybody has flaws
Review: "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.