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An Ideal Husband

  • 1999
  • PG-13
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
17K
YOUR RATING
Julianne Moore, Minnie Driver, Rupert Everett, Jeremy Northam, and Cate Blanchett in An Ideal Husband (1999)
Trailer
Play trailer1:58
1 Video
81 Photos
Romantic ComedyComedyRomance

London 1895: Cabinet minister, Sir Chiltern, and bachelor, Lord Goring, are victims of scheming women.London 1895: Cabinet minister, Sir Chiltern, and bachelor, Lord Goring, are victims of scheming women.London 1895: Cabinet minister, Sir Chiltern, and bachelor, Lord Goring, are victims of scheming women.

  • Director
    • Oliver Parker
  • Writers
    • Oscar Wilde
    • Oliver Parker
  • Stars
    • Rupert Everett
    • Julianne Moore
    • Peter Vaughan
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    17K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Oliver Parker
    • Writers
      • Oscar Wilde
      • Oliver Parker
    • Stars
      • Rupert Everett
      • Julianne Moore
      • Peter Vaughan
    • 149User reviews
    • 79Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards
      • 4 wins & 17 nominations total

    Videos1

    An Ideal Husband
    Trailer 1:58
    An Ideal Husband

    Photos81

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    Top cast36

    Edit
    Rupert Everett
    Rupert Everett
    • Lord Goring
    Julianne Moore
    Julianne Moore
    • Mrs Cheveley
    Peter Vaughan
    Peter Vaughan
    • Phipps
    Minnie Driver
    Minnie Driver
    • Mabel
    Cate Blanchett
    Cate Blanchett
    • Gertrude
    Ben Pullen
    Ben Pullen
    • Tommy Trafford
    Marsha Fitzalan
    Marsha Fitzalan
    • Countess
    Lindsay Duncan
    Lindsay Duncan
    • Lady Markby
    Neville Phillips
    Neville Phillips
    • Mason
    John Wood
    John Wood
    • Lord Caversham
    Jeremy Northam
    Jeremy Northam
    • Sir Robert
    Nickolas Grace
    Nickolas Grace
    • Vicounte de Nanjac
    Simon Russell Beale
    Simon Russell Beale
    • Sir Edward
    Anna Patrick
    Anna Patrick
    • Miss Danvers
    Delia Lindsay
    Delia Lindsay
    • Lady Basildon
    Denise Stephenson
    Denise Stephenson
    • Gwendolen
    Charles Edwards
    Charles Edwards
    • Jack
    Nancy Carroll
    Nancy Carroll
    • Cecily
    • Director
      • Oliver Parker
    • Writers
      • Oscar Wilde
      • Oliver Parker
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews149

    6.817.4K
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    Featured reviews

    Kirpianuscus

    more than a good adaptation

    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.
    9Curtize

    See it twice.

    An Ideal Husband - ****

    In 19th Century London, Sir Robert Chiltern (Jeremy Northam,) is a successful member of parliament married to the virtuous, fabulously popular Lady Gertrud Chiltern (Cate Blanchett.) Sir Robert's sister Mabel (Minnie Driver) is infatuated with Sir Robert's friend, Lord Arthur Goring (Rupert Everett.) The dashing Lord Goring, the wealthy son of the Earl of Caversham, is an inveterate bachelor who lives a life of leisure. Into this already crowded picture drops Mrs. Laura Cheveley (Julianne Moore,) an Austrian socialite with two ex-husbands and a convoluted past. Not only was she briefly engaged to Lord Goring, but it seems that she possesses evidence that the noble Sir Robert once committed a terrible indiscretion. Mrs. Cheveley uses this explosive evidence in her attempt to blackmail Sir Robert into voting against his conscience on the floor of Parliament. What ensues is a fascinating examination of honor and idealism. We learn that the noble Sir Robert is less than perfect, while the rakish bachelor Lord Goring possesses a surprising level of honor and insight.

    If Shakespeare in Love deserved an Oscar, this film deserves the Nobel Prize. It is simply outstanding in every respect. The first thing one notices is the dialogue. It is a bit stiff and stilted, as was the custom in London at the time, but it also possesses a razor sharp wit and sly sense of humor. Every last character speaks with intelligence and humor. The verbal fireworks, particularly as provided by Lord Goring, illuminate character and motivation while simultaneously producing guffaws from the audience. The plot structure is a marvel. There are no explosions, fireballs, or car chases, but the picture achieves a certain breathlessness simply through its intricate layering of multiple characters, all with intertwining motivations, interests, and connections with one another. A prime example of this is the scene in which poor Lord Goring receives multiple visitors at his home in a single night. All of the visitors have conflicts with one another, so Lord Goring must segregate them and move from room to room, listening to their problems and providing insights. The costumes and locations are all excellent. I particularly liked the manner in which Sir Robert's bright home is contrasted with Lord Goring's dark and cavernous bachelor pad. The one complaint I have is with the film's music; it seemed too light and frivolous, overplaying the "madcap shenanigans" element of the picture. But this is a minor quibble indeed.

    The acting is first rate across the board. Jeremy Northam (yes, he could play James Bond) is well suited to the role of Sir Robert. He exudes intelligence, honor, and duty. Julianne Moore, as Mrs. Cheveley, seems to relish the conniving and scheming of her character. Cate Blanchett and Minnie Driver capably bring depth and intelligence to their limited roles. But the true star of the film is Rupert Everett as Lord Arthur Goring. Mr. Everett has had a promising career to this point, but An Ideal Husband is his breakout role. In this film he is witty, charming, caring, wise, devilish, and childish all at once. Lord Goring is the kind of man that makes women swoon and men flock around to hear funny stories. He reminded me of Cary Grant - only better. Someone give that man an Academy Award.
    nickjg

    Another 'modernisation' goes wrong.

    One of the principal sources of humour in Wilde's plays comes from pricking at the inflated egos, pious humbug and ignorance of the upper classes. There is always a Wildean character to reverse a clicheed expression or invert conventional 'wisdom.' Unfortunately, by stripping most of his characters of their stiff formality and rigid social code, the writer and director have removed the butt of the joke and Wilde's comments on absurdity are left without a punchline. The attempt to work in anachronistic social relevance leaves us with a set of feeble characters who fall in love with each other for no obvious reason. Because Wilde's language has been sterilised the actors have to use mugging to express the personalities Wilde created. Result, a charmless and dated 'political' drama as credible as a Jeffery Archer novel. Gertrude is insecure and fretful where she should be smug and priggish- Mabel is arch where she should be caustic- Poor Oscar - gets no 'Oscar'!
    7=G=

    Charming, clever, and contrived.

    "An Ideal Husband" is a charming though contrived little 19th century English period comedy with the subtly sardonic sense of humor typical of Oscar Wilde. The film, which deals with the politics of society first, the politics of the heart second, and the politics of the state last, features all the trappings of the period, a solid cast, and a clever script. An amusing and enjoyable watch for those into 19th century English period films.
    9danielwill

    Surprisingly good - surprisingly timely, terribly marketed

    I saw "An Ideal Husband" at the Old Vic theater in London, and was surprised at the time how timely a 100 year old play could be.

    When I saw the trailers, TV ads and posters for this version, it seemed like an entirely different story--will Rupert Everett get married off. That's certainly a thread in the movie, but in the marketing of this version, they made it appear as if it was the entire wardrobe.

    I didn't see the film when it was in theaters because these ads, with their very modern music and fast cutting, made the film look like a joke.

    But when it came out on video, I decided to try it, and am glad I did.

    The film itself is excellent. Beautifully shot and paced, with an expert cast. Wilde's humor shines through, and the writer-director has done a wonderful job "opening" up the play into a film, without changing anything important. It's a masterful job of translating from stage to screen. It's really so crisply done, and very funny.

    In years to come people will realise that this is a fine movie version of this play. And by then, hopefully, they will have either forgotten about the marketing campaign, or hopefully learned from it.

    I recommend the film.

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    Related interests

    Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
    Romantic Comedy
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The green carnation that Arthur selects for his buttonhole is a subtle homage to Oscar Wilde. Wilde and his "inner circle" of gay friends used to wear green carnations as a way of discreetly displaying their sexuality.
    • Goofs
      At the reception at the Chiltern's home, Sir Robert is requested to meet the Indian Ambassador. In 1895 India was a British possession and there could not be such an Ambassador who represents only independent states.
    • Quotes

      Lord Caversham: What are you doing here, sir? Wasting your time, as usual?

      Lord Arthur Goring: My dear father, when one pays a visit, it is for the purpose of wasting other people's time and not one's own.

    • Crazy credits
      The credits list Oliver Parker, the director, as playing "Bunbury", one of the gentlemen that is seen playing cards with Lord Goring in the Men's Club when Lord Chiltern arrives. Bunbury is also a never-seen character in "The Importance of Being Earnest", the play which is performed in the background of several scenes of this film.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me/The Red Violin/Just a Little Harmless Sex/An Ideal Husband/Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl (1999)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 30, 1999 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ідеальний чоловік
    • Filming locations
      • West Wycombe Park, West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Arts Council of England
      • Fragile Films
      • Pathé International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $14,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $18,542,974
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $192,802
      • Jun 20, 1999
    • Gross worldwide
      • $18,542,974
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 37m(97 min)
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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