# Ideal Husband, An (1998)

### reviewed by
Jamey Hughton

    AN IDEAL HUSBAND
    ***1/2 (out of five stars)
    A review by Jamey Hughton

    Starring-Rupert Everett, Julianne Moore, Jeremy Northam,
    Minnie Driver and Cate Blanchett
    Director-Oliver Parker
    Rated PG
    Released July 1999
    Miramax

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While not very filling in itself, An Ideal Husband is a nicely rounded and all-together fluffy period romance. There's enough dashing wardrobes, sharply-spoken dialogue and humorous plot twists to keep everyone entertained - if they can stand a break from a summer full of big-budget action movies.

Rupert Everett has always been a striking leading man, but he hasn't been able to break through with a character since My Best Friend's Wedding. At least, not this successfully. An Ideal Husband gives Everett the role of the grouchy but handsomely divine Lord Arthur Goring. Despite the constant bickering of his father (John Wood), Goring refuses to settle down with someone or even consider marriage. His best friend is the wealthy, popular politician Sir Robert Chiltern (Jeremy Northam), who is married himself to the calmly but beautiful Lady Gertrud (Cate Blanchett). The central plot circulates not around Goring, but instead deals with Sir Robert and some past problems that have come back to haunt him. With the appearance of the mysterious Mrs. Chevely (Julianne Moore), an old friend of the family, Sir Robert's life begins to evaporate into deceit and mistrust. Mrs. Chevely has evidence of a past scandal that could destroy Sir Robert's stand in politics, and she threatens to blackmail him if he doesn't support her requests. With his wealth and marriage on the line, Sir Robert turns to Lord Goring for advice and friendship.

This plot outline successfully ties all of the lead characters into one amusing web, including Mabel Chiltern (Minnie Driver), the witty and sharp-tongued younger sister of Sir Robert. An Ideal Husband, based on a play by Oscar Wilde, is set in the late 19th century. To be taken in by the humor, we must first believe the time period. The set and production designers responsible for An Ideal Husband do a commendable job of bringing the horse-guided carriages and feathered hats to colorful life. Kudos also to the makeup and costume artists, who have obviously spent countless hours researching the fashions that wealthy men and women (particularly the women) would wear. The wonderful setting of An Ideal Husband makes it so much easier to absorb all the goings-on.

The dialogue throughout the film is bursting with brilliance, and it helps matters that the experienced and talented cast is delivering such lines. The confrontations are marvelous exchanges of devious wit and wordplay, and there is never once a lull in the screenplay. There are many clever quips spoken throughout, such as when Lord Goring states with a conceited smile: `To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance...' Nicely said.

Although I may be jumping to conclusions (and making the assumption that the late-summer kiddie flick Inspector Gadget will not win him raves), I'd say this is going to be one of Rupert Everett's most memorable performances. Everett is a scene-stealer in An Ideal Husband, with a delightful knowledge of all his buffoonery that makes his character more enjoyable. He's smart, captivating, and light on his feet. But to ignore the supporting players would also be deemed entirely un-called for. The entire cast looks simply smashing, from Driver's spirited turn to Moore's deviously evil execution, it's just a viewing pleasure. In some respects, the resolution of An Ideal Husband may be somewhat slight, and the film is also too entirely short. But these are shortcomings gladly forgotten as we are whisked away by the arresting dialogue and plot turns.

There is little hope for this film to be widely recognized, with competition like Will Smith and profane cardboard-constructed eight-year olds. But nestled in the heart of summer lies this entertaining and briskly enjoyable movie that will make more of a boom with critics and audiences than Godzilla's thundering footsteps ever did.

    (C) 1999, Jamey Hughton

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