An Ideal Husband (1999)
An ambitious creme de la creme politician (Northam, The Winslow Boy) sees all he owns (including his wife (Blanchett, Elizabeth) in limbo when the conniving ex-wife (Moore, Cookie’s Fortune) of someone he worked for blackmails him with a letter of a misdeed where he got most of his riches. Seeking the help of a wealthy playboy friend (Everett, My Best Friend’s Wedding), he finds he doesn’t know who to trust since his friend was formerly to be wed to the blackmailer.
Based on Oscar Wilde’s play, Oliver Parker’s An Ideal Husband is a light and entertaining rendition with stellar actors and marvelous sets and costumes. It isn’t particularly deep, nor is it believable as a romance, but it does have a likability and humor that is essential for any farce to succeed. As fluffy as a souffle, but just as tasty.
Qwipster’s rating: A-
MPAA Rated: PG-13 for brief sensuality/nudity
Running Time: 97 min.
Cast: Rupert Everett, Julianne Moore, Jeremy Northam, Cate Blanchett, Minnie Driver
Director: Oliver Parker
Screenplay: Oliver Parker (based on the play by Oscar Wilde)