An Ideal Husband (1999)

Very Cool!!!

That was an excellent one.

Sorry, this movie sucks

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

One of good adaptations. For performances - Rupert Everett as the inspired choice for each "translation" of Oscar Wilde universe - but, in same measure, for a sort of freshness of a case of inspired use of the nuances of Wilde humor. A film about a man and his secrets and the prices of confidence. Seductive. And simple. And, maybe, lovely.

I'm sure this movie is fine. It's got a terrific cast. It's from Oscar Wilde, so the wit is there even in the smallest moments (you can see that from the trailer). And it has excellent costumes and a decent score, but... Once again I discover a movie that I KNOW I saw not only in 1999 but in a theater, and... I have practically no memory of it. ... (2 minutes after typing this) Ah, just watched the trailer, I DID see this. I blame the blandness of Rupert Everett, who is not up to par exactly with the rest of the cast - and maybe a just everything I've done since the age of 15 has wiped this from my memories over the years - for this being a bit of a blur. But then again I saw a ton of movies in 1999, not to mention this came out right around end of June/beginning of July, and this one didn't quite stand out at the time. It may be worth another look since it's sophisticated and about the ways people do and definitely don't communicate, but considering it's not my kind of movie, it's okay.Should I see it again? hmm... well, there's this, and Julianne Moore looking delightful and beautiful and Cate Blanchett too, but then there's also Love & Friendship to watch again, which this looks like practically the same thing but only from a guy's POV, so...oh, and RIP Peter Vaughan, which is how I was reminded this exists.

An Ideal Husband is a feast of exquisite language and subtle intrigues. If you have not seen this version of the play, you would be served well by a viewing.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. These actors are excellent in their parts, but Moore and Everett stand out in their roles of the blackmailer with the heart of gold and the shallow ne'er-do-well whose crafty brilliance saves the day.John Wood, who plays Everett's exasperated father, should also be mentioned. One might say that his performance is over the top, but that is exactly what is needed for the part.The film starts slowly, so you must have patience in order to be rewarded. If you are not familiar with the play you might be helped in your appreciation of the film by viewing the featurette included on the DVD. It serves as a worthy preface for the film.It is interesting to note that, about the time this play was being written, Wilde was about to become involved in his trial for being a homosexual the results of which would send him to prison and destroy much of his spirit.How ironic that the social conventions that Wilde so expertly and exquisitely barbed would have such a tragic influence upon his personal life. Enjoy the film as a look at history and as a reminder that social attitudes continue to exert considerable influence upon human behavior.

Parker's adaptation follows the tradition of source author Wilde: the glamour, grace, charm and delight of moneyed society mask a viper's pit of self-interest, and personal and political manipulation. Rupert Everett is born into roles of this period and provenance with his chiselled charm and diverting ease with women and men alike. The trio of women with whom he consorts as if they were, alternately, courtesans and diplomats, are superb. Julianne Moore and Cate Blanchett might be relied on to be delicate but deadly damsels but I was pleased to see that Minnie Driver could not only hold her own but also create and occupy a different role from the other two.This is not a one-trick picture with people simply being suffocatingly courteous and then sticking in the knife but populated with real characters creating a real sense of a fragile surface patina to their behaviour, as at risk as the more substantial lives which it represents. Parker directs with a discreet hand and the production is beautifully designed. 6/10