An Ideal Husband (1999)
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86% of critics liked it
(63 reviews) -
66% of users liked it
(10,557 ratings)
A romantic and sentimental comedy set at the turn of the 19th century, An Ideal Husband delves into themes of love, passion, and betrayal among the aristocracy. Sir Robert Chiltern (Jeremy Northam), a brilliant politician and a perfect gentleman, is the ideal husband for the charming Lady Chiltern… More A romantic and sentimental comedy set at the turn of the 19th century, An Ideal Husband delves into themes of love, passion, and betrayal among the aristocracy. Sir Robert Chiltern (Jeremy Northam), a brilliant politician and a perfect gentleman, is the ideal husband for the charming Lady Chiltern (Cate Blanchett). They have a widely envied marriage until charming Mrs. Cheveley (Julianne Moore) appears with the intention of revealing a dark secret from Chiltern's past. When his world seems to be falling apart, Chiltern turns to his lifelong friend Lord Arthur Goring (Rupert Everett), the most eligible bachelor in town. Goring soon finds himself caught up in a web of lies, temptations, and secret liaisons. Furthermore, the persistent charms of Sir Robert's sister Mabel (Minnie Driver) are becoming a serious threat to his much-cherished bachelorhood. Using political intrigue and clever wit, An Ideal Husband draws a picture of a society struggling with issues still valid today. ~ Gönül Dönmez-Colin, Rovi
- Directed By
- Oliver Parker
- Written By
- Oliver Parker
- Genres
- Comedy
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Jun 18, 1999 Wide
- Studio
- Miramax Films
Critic Reviews
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Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
An enjoyable, minor, lustrously shot revamping of Oscar Wilde's play about the perpetually interlocked manners of love and deception.
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Derek Elley, Variety
Smooth-flowing direction, a shrewdly pruned script and a top-flight ensemble cast that visibly relishes both the dialogue and one another's perfs make this a tony item for upscale, mature audiences.
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Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle
Parker has made a sensible cinematic translation of Wilde's play, intercutting scenes which would have been played consecutively on the stage.
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, Globe and Mail
[I]t's likely that Mr. Wilde, who once wrote, 'A poet can survive anything but a misprint,' would have been less than thrilled with the result.
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Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Wilde was always about lots more than witty repartee, and as sparkling as his play is as drawing-room comedy, it reveals his concern with the timeless values of unselfish love and forgiveness.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Rupert Everett
as Lord Arthur Goring
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Julianne Moore
as Mrs. Laura Cheveley
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Jeremy Northam
as Sir Robert Chiltern
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Cate Blanchett
as Lady Gertrud Chiltern
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Minnie Driver
as Mabel Chiltern
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John Wood
as Earl of Caversham
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Lindsay Duncan
as Lady Markby
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Peter Vaughan
as Phipps
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Jeroen Krabbé
as Baron Arnheim
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Ben Pullen
as Tommy
