An Ideal Husband
First screened in June 1999 / Most recently screened in May 2020
Director: Oliver Parker. Cast: Rupert Everett, Cate Blanchett, Jeremy Northam, Julianne Moore, Minnie Driver, John Wood, Lindsay Duncan, Jeroen Krabbé, Nickolas Grace, Ben Pullen, Neville Phillips, Peter Vaughan, Simon Russell Beale, Anna Patrick. Screenplay: Oliver Parker (based on the play by Oscar Wilde).

 Twitter Capsule: Not especially ambitious cinema, but a fleetly paced, deftly performed staging that doesn't gum up Wilde's play.

Second Capsule: Gowns, beautiful gowns! Color, light, music are all over-bright, and the director might have probed the text further. But I'm OK with charm!

VOR: ③  Everett, Northam conventionally but astute cast. Blanchett, Moore rarely worked these grooves again. Star ensemble treats Wilde with respect, but not solemnly.


Photo © 1999 Miramax Films

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B–

(in June 1999: C+)
Golden Globe Nominations:
Best Actress (Musical/Comedy): Julianne Moore
Best Actor (Musical/Comedy): Rupert Everett

Other Awards:
National Board of Review: Best Supporting Actress (Moore; also cited for Magnolia and A Map of the World)
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