An Ideal Husband

Starring:Cate Blanchett, Nancy Carroll (II), Minnie Driver, Lindsay Duncan, Charles Edwards (VI), Rupert Everett, Marsha Fitzalan, Nickolas Grace, Andy Harrison, Delia Lindsay, Julianne Moore, Jeremy Northam, Anna Patrick, Neville Phillips, Ben Pullen, Simon Russell Beale, Denise Stephenson, Peter Vaughan, John Wood
Studio: Miramax
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

For truly clever dialogue and a smartly structured plot, you can't go wrong with Oscar Wilde. Wilde's play An Ideal Husband is not his best known, but this film adaptation has all the wit you could ask for and a cast with the chops to deliver it: Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth, Oscar and Lucinda), Julianne Moore (Short Cuts, Boogie Nights), Minnie Driver (Grosse Pointe Blank, Big Night), Jeremy Northam (The Winslow Boy, Emma), and especially Rupert Everett (My Best Friend's Wedding, A Midsummer Night's Dream), who tosses off perfect epigrams with unflappable aplomb. The plot hinges on Northam, a member of Parliament (the British governing body, not the funk band) with a skeleton in his closet who is blackmailed into a shady business deal by a lady of mystery (Moore), who turns out to be a loathed school chum of the parliamentarian's wife (Blanchett). Everything is resolved happily, but not until after some devious twists of fate, several mistaken identities, lots of comic banter, and much social skewering. Wilde, who came to ruin when his homosexuality was brought to light, has a sharp eye for hypocrisy and the artificial poses demanded by society--but political commentary never gets in the way of a smart laugh. Visually sumptuous and briskly paced, An Ideal Husband will satisfy anyone looking for social satire or romantic comedy. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Sexy leading man Rupert Everett heads an acclaimed all-star cast in this wonderfully witty story of decadence, romance, and scandal! Sir Robert is a highly respected politician whose spotless reputation is the pride of his beautiful wife (Cate Blanchett ) and adoring sister (Minnie Driver). But when an old acquaintance (Julianne Moore) threatens to reveal a dark secret from Robert's past, only his womanizing party-loving best friend Goring (Everett) is scheming and dishonest enough to come to his aid.

Customer Reviews:

Witty and entertaining.......2007-06-11

This film has several real strenghts, including the witty dialogue by Oscar Wilde, the fine job of acting by the cast, and the beauty of the setting and gowns worn by the three primary actresses.

You have to remain alert while watching and listening to a play by Oscar Wilde as it is full of snappy, sharp dialogue and Rupert Everett is perfect playing a Wilde character. Jeremy Northam and Cate Blanchett also do a great job playing the straight characters in a Wilde dramatic comedy. Julianne Moore does an excellent job playing the role of a villaness. Minnie Driver is the only one of the actors who seems to be having a bit of a challenge with her role. Northam and Blanchett are meant to be the straight pair of lovers whereas Driver and Everett are the comedy pair of lovers. Driver and Everett have a bit of trouble pulling this off and their attraction to each other seems labored and unreal.

The settings are beautiful but the period gowns are over the top.

Underneath all the witty snide dialogue, and the twists and turns of a comedy, there is a morality play nestled in this film. The film is primarily about morals and payment for the sin's of one's past. Sir Robert Chiltern, a rising star in parliment, was once an assistant to a cabinet member. In this position he was able to provide an investor inside information about the Suez Canal. This resulted in his making a vast fortune as part of his bribe. Now, years later, Mrs. Cheveley, is attempting to blackmail him into supporting another canal in Argentina so that she can make a killing with her investment in the scheme.

We see all three of the main actors, Northam, Blanchett, and Everett grow and change as they undergo this ordeal. The film is entertaining.

oscar wilde was a genius.......2007-04-22

Ok, so it's a little British and you actually have to get off the phone and listen to get all the jokes. But the comedy is brilliant, the relationships really matter to you and although I hate Cate Blanchett, even in this movie, don't we all wish Rupert Everett swung our way?? I adore this movie and tend to make even people who don't like british movies sit still and watch it.

If you love good dialogue..........2007-04-09

...This is the movie for you!!

When people ask me what movies I love for just witty dialogue alone, this movie is always up there with Pulp Fiction, Out of Sight, and When Harry Met Sally. I love the language, the delivery, the exquisiteness of each word, each line in this movie! Every actor/actress delivers such grand performances and revels in the pure fun of the language!

I made my fiancé sit down and watch it the other day and even though she had dubious concerns about why I was making her watch the movie, she absolutely loved it!

A true screen gem!

Oscar worthy.......2007-03-24

(I have not read the play nor seen it performed on stage so I didn't miss the features that other reviewers have mentioned.) I found this thoroughly enjorable. Rupert Everett perfectly embodies the paradoxical virtues of Oscar Wilde...the self admitted scoundral who only speaks seriously on Tuesdays from 1 to 3. His total opposite is Gertrude (Blanchett), married to her ideal husband, a man she has placed on a formidably high pedestal of virtue. Naturally, that had to fall and the scoundral saves the day. (Knowing what we do of Wilde's life we can appreciate this theme even more.) Underneath his protestations of superficiality he emerges as the real hero.

That's the theme -- that no one is perfect and that it takes more courage to love an imperfect person than a perfect one. But Wilde doesn't bludgeon us over the head with the message---he delights us with the brilliant dialogue and clever plot. If there were no moral at all, it would still be a delight to watch.

The acting is all very good. Rupert Everett, as everyone has mentioned, seems born to play Wilde. I disagree with those who said there was no chemistry between him and the Minnie Driver character. I thought their scenes together were the most entertaining in the film. She is genuinely funny as well as very beautiful. Blanchett is perfect in her role of the pale, virtuous-to-boredom wife. I thought the only weak link was Julianne Moore, who seemed miscast as the villianess. Perhaps I've seen her in too many "realistic" American roles which she does with such depth of humanity and vulnerability that I had a hard time adjusting to this Julianne. I thought her accent was lacking and she just didn't have the arch quality that such a part demanded. However she carried it off well enough not to spoil the enjoyment of the film. It's definitely fun and worth seeing.

Absolutely Brilliant!!.......2007-02-28

This is one of Oscar Wilde's most entertaining works. The cast is outstanding in every way possible! Rupert Everett can deliver an Oscar Wilde line better than anyone in the business. Minnie Driver is just wonderful and Cate Blanchett is one of the best actresses in movies right now. Jeremy Northam is always charming. What is wonderful about this is that the actors really act. The entertainment is in the lines and how they are delivered without an explosion or explicit scenes of any kind. I don't think we, here in America, can produce better acting or scripts right now. Don't miss this - you'll be quoting it for years!

The Oscar Wilde Collection (The Importance of Being Earnest / The Picture of Dorian Gray / An Ideal Husband / Lady Windermere's Fan)

Average customer rating:

The Oscar Wilde Collection
ejoyable
unforgivably dull
An Uneven Collection
The Best EARNEST!!

The Oscar Wilde Collection (The Importance of Being Earnest / The Picture of Dorian Gray / An Ideal Husband / Lady Windermere's Fan)
Starring: Paul McGann , Rupert Frazer , Alec McCowen , John Quarmby , and John Woodnutt
Director: Stuart Burge , John Gorrie , and Rudolph Cartier
Manufacturer: BBC Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( O ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Shaw Collection (Pygmalion / The Millionairess / Arms and the Man / The Devil's Disciple / Mrs. Warren's Profession / Heartbreak House)
Wilde (Special Edition)
The Importance of Being Earnest - Criterion Collection
The Charles Dickens Collection, Vol. 2 (David Copperfield / The Pickwick Papers / The Old Curiosity Shop / Dombey and Son)
The Charles Dickens Collection (Oliver Twist / Martin Chuzzlewit / Bleak House / Hard Times / Great Expectations / Our Mutual Friend)

ASIN: B000062XE1
Release Date: 2002-05-21

Description

"Wilde" about witty dialogue, scandalous secrets and ingenious intrigue?

Let the BBC transport you back to the decadent aristocratic drawing rooms of 1890's England. Lovingly restored, these plays feature a who's who of great actors of the British stage & screen including stars like Sir John Gielgud, Joan Plowright, Jeremy Brett, Susan Hampshire, Margaret Leighton and Gemma Jones.

Rediscover the charm and delight of Wilde's masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest - "To loose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune...to lose both seems like carelessness." - Lady Bracknell

Unleash the chilling and ruthless melodrama of Wilde's notorious novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, which disturbed the very foundations of Victorian society.

Indulge yourself in the scandalous gossip and intrigue of An Ideal Husband and Lady Windermere's Fan

"I can resist everything but temptation" - Lord Darlington

Treasure the genius of Oscar Wilde in this complete collection of his major works.

"I have nothing to declare but my genius" - Oscar Wilde

The Importance of Being Earnest 1988, The Picture of Dorian Gray 1976, An Ideal Husband 1969, Lady Windermere's Fan 1985

Customer Reviews:

The Oscar Wilde Collection.......2007-03-09

I originally ordered the collection to obtain LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN, a play written by Oscar Wilde, inspired by the life of Lillie Langtry, and offered to Lillie Langtry for the original stage production - which she refused for reasons of 'vanity'. The play is very well done. I was also interested in viewing THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY. I was only familiar with the Hollywood version of the film. This version, in my opinion, outshines the Hollywood version one thousand fold. Very well done, and very well casted.

ejoyable.......2006-08-09

What can I say? If you like Oscar Wilde, you will enjoy these DVDs.

unforgivably dull.......2006-05-26

I am a fan of Oscar Wilde and of BBC productions, but to make Wilde's plays and stories boring takes either special effort, or decided lack of effort. I've bought this dvd but it's unlikely I'll ever watch it again.

The stagy and low-budget sets are to be expected from older BBC tv productions; the costumes are very nice. Sound and picture qualities are excellent. The actors are mostly very good especially
Susan Hampshire and Jeremy Brett in "Ideal Husband", who each provide provide sorely-needed beauty,youth, and especially, energy. (The overaged Mrs Cheavely acts well, but is miscast). But the pacing and direction of each production is so dull, that I found myself just wanting these to end quickly. The "Earnest" is so slow and boring as to be the most unwatchable of the group, and that should be a criminal offense.

An Uneven Collection.......2005-12-10

"The Oscar Wilde Collection" includes four performances of Wilde's works, and a feature on the life of Oscar Wilde. These were all broadcast on the BBC in the past, and they feature several well-known actors, such as Sir John Gielgud, Joan Plowright, Jeremy Brett, Susan Hampshire, Margaret Leighton, and more.

"The Importance of Being Earnest" is one of Wilde's greatest works. It was first performed in 1895, in the St. James' Theatre in London. However, the performance here is not the original four act version of the play. The written information lists this as being the 1988 production of the play, but the Internet Movie Database shows it as being from 1986, and one can see in the video credits that the 1986 data appears to be correct. This is the story of two men, each of whom use an unreal person to give them an excuse to avoid unwelcome situations. This practice ultimately results in causing more trouble than it avoids for each of them. The performance is good, but far from exceptional. Joan Plowright gives a decent performance as Lady Bracknell.

"The Picture of Dorian Gray" is a performance based on Wilde's 1891 novel. This production first aired in 1976, and I don't think it is very good at all. The only thing worthwhile is the performance of Sir John Gielgud as Lord Henry Wotton. Of course, this is the one work presented here which is not a play in its original form. The story is of a man (Dorian Gray) who wishes he could stay young like his portrait, and have the portrait grow old in his place.

"An Ideal Husband" is originally from 1895, and this is my favorite of the four productions included in this collection. First broadcast in 1969, there are several great performances here. Jeremy Brett is wonderful as Vicount Goring, and Margaret Leighton (Mrs. Cheveley), Dinah Sheridan (Lady Chiltern), and Keith Michell (Sir Robert Chiltern) all deliver strong performances as well. The play involves blackmail, political corruption, and the idea that no one should be judged entirely by their past.

"Lady Windermere's Fan" is a play from 1892. This performance is from 1985, and as with "The Importance of Being Earnest" it is a good, but not great, performance. This play is about the appearance of impropriety which nearly destroys Lord and Lady Windermere's marriage, when she learns that he is spending an unseemly amount of time in Mrs. Erlynne's presence and giving her large amounts of money. Mrs. Erlynne is well played by Stephanie Turner.

The feature titled "The Life and Loves of Oscar Wilde" is well done, and provides a great deal of insight into the man and his tragic end.

The Best EARNEST!!.......2005-01-14

Wilde scholars recognize that any staging of Earnest is to be judged by the performance of the character of Lady Bracknell. In this case, Dame Joan Plowright gives the very best performance of all time: Evans and Dench can't compare! Gemma Jones is good as Prism. The guys doing Algie and Jack are good too.