It's 1895 London. Lady Gertrude (Cate Blanchett) and Sir Robert Chiltern (Jeremy Northam) are examples of the perfect political couple. Miss Mabel Chiltern (Minnie Driver) is his sister. He is a rising star in the government. Mrs Cheveley (Julianne Moore) coming from Vienna claims to have damning evidence of the origins of Lord Chiltern's wealth and career. She wants him to present a favorable report on a canal scheme swindle in Argentina, which she had invested heavily, to parliament. In desperation, Sir Chiltern turns to his best friend Lord Goring (Rupert Everett) who is an idle perpetual bachelor and hounded by his father to get married. Only Chiltern doesn't know that Goring used to be engaged to Cheveley.I think comedy is one of the most personal genre of storytelling. This 100 year old Oscar Wilde play may be hilarious back at the time and even hilarious to some really smart people today. For me, most of the humor is lost to me. There are a couple of chuckle worthy moments but mostly this is more of a personal thriller. In fact, I would like to see this done as a tense drama. Chiltern could feel the paranoia and the intensity of the pressures closing in. As a comedy, I could find no laughs.

It's been many years since I've read any Oscar Wilde, but I recall being regaled by his comedy and satire in the past. I haven't seen the 1947 movie of "An Ideal Husband," but I did see the 1969 BBC production with Jeremy Brett. I can't imagine any production of this witty, clever and satirical story not being highly entertaining. At the same time, I can't think that any future version will top this 1999 film. The story spectacle is excellent – along the lines of the big splashy movies of Victorian England. All the technical and production values are first-rate. But it is the directing and acting that stand out most. It is in the dialog, with facial expressions, gestures and moves that one best appreciates Wilde. It is from the people that the author wrings out the great comedy and satire – amidst drama at times, and romance and suspense.This film has a substantial cast of wonderful actors. Every role is exquisitely played to perfection – um, make that NEAR-perfection. But Rupert Everett's Lord Goring is something else. To imitate a quip in the play penned by the witty Wilde, Everett's Goring is "only slightly less" than perfect. It's hard to imagine this egocentric, ego-maniacal character any funnier than in this film.A bonus featurette with my DVD intimates that "An Ideal Husband" is also a drama. I'll concede to the dramatic moments and undertone. But the comedy thread provided by Lord Goring throughout never lets those elements of drama take hold or last longer than to set up the next pun or witty line. This movie is a wonderful feast of quips, subtleties, face-offs and dismissals. It pokes fun at different aspects of society – the rich and idle, the wealthy and powerful, the prim and proper, the cunning and conniving, the perfect and the imperfect. It has messages and delivers them with good humor and subtlety. This 1999 version of "An Ideal Husband" is Oscar Wilde at his best. I highly recommend this film. It's suitable for the whole family – that opening scene with the blurred background passes quickly. But the young folks may not readily catch or enjoy the humor. The following are some lines of dialog to whet your appetite for watching "An Ideal Husband."Lord Goring: "You see, Phipps, fashion is what one wears oneself. What is unfashionable is what other people wear.""Other people are quite dreadful. The only possible society is oneself.""To love one's self is the beginning of a lifelong romance.""I enjoy talking about nothing, father. It's the only thing I know anything about."Lady Chiltern: "In the old days, we had the rack. Nowadays, we have the press."Mabel Chiltern: "Do you have anything you wish to say to me, Lord goring?" Goring: "Um .. No, I don't think so." Mabel Chiltern: "Then I don't want to hear it."Lord Caversham: "Do you always understand what you say, sir?" Lord Goring: "Yes! If I listen attentively."Mrs. Chevely: "And so, my dear Arthur, are you not just a little bit pleased to see me?" Lord Goring: "Oh, my dear woman, possibly even less than that."Lord Goring: "Did you miss me?" Mabel Chiltern: "Awfully!" Lord Goring: "Then I'm sorry I did not stay away later. I like being missed."Lord Goring: "Yes, but the fact is, father, this is not my day for talking seriously." Lord Caversham: "What on earth do you mean?" Lord Goring: "I mean that during the season I only talk seriously on the first Tuesday in every month, between noon and 3:00."

Oscar Wilde's exquisite comedy/play, which is also a remake (after the 1947 version from Alexander Korda). adapted by Oliver Parker (whose filmography is noteworthy for other play- turned films such as OTHELLO 1995 and another Wilde's masterpiece, the remake of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST 2002). I'm quite aware of my personal inclination over the glittering cast (a combo with British, American and Australian) may overweigh the intricate screenplay and laudable wisecracks, which turns out to be that it can effortlessly appease my expectations. As I haven't read the original book, I assume it's Wilde himself who should take most of the credit. On the other hand, the dexterity of Mr. Parker's talent should not be overlooked. The satirical overtone of the British milieu is undeniably gratifying judging by the taste of a foreign audience, all the twists thoroughly converge into the pyramidical outburst and unleashes a feel-good sensibility which is smooth but hasty, running at a length of a meagre 97 minute, the sparks is penny-pinching.One sure thing is that the competent cast manipulates a wonderful rendition against the sketchy arrangement, the first time of two of my goddess Moore and Blanchett star in the same film (a second time is a sadly under-appreciated THE SHIPPING NEWS 2001, in which they are two parallel lines), the magnificent good Vs. evil collision alone worths the ticket, Moore unstoppably exudes her elegant malignancies in each frame, dominates the entire picture under her grip despite of her not-so-packed screen time. And Blanchett, on the contrary, hides her lioness prowess and accomplishes an easier job as the forthrightly guileless Lady Gerturde Chiltern. Another victory comes from Lord Arthur Goring, who is winningly played by a chiseled Rupert Everett, he is utterly suitable. But Jeremy Northam and Minnie Driver's roles are tedious and uncanny respectively, forgive my taste and frankness, the latter falls short of appeal from any respect in my humble opinion. I give the film an 8/10, a little bit overrated I must say, but I could not resist the pure charisma from the dynamic verbal battles, especially in a language which I am able to understand.

This film is about a lady blackmailing a respectable lord, causing many merry misunderstandings and mischiefs in the subsequent days.Oscar Wilde adaptations always lighten up my heart. They are witty, merry and brings a smile to your face. The secret to his plays is that the viewers know something the characters do not. It is the same in The Ideal Husband, where the viewers know quite many things more than Robert Chiltern does. The dialogs are witty and elegant. The sets are lavish and grand as I would expect from the nobles. The best of all is Cate Blanchett's acting, she is able to delivery a wide range of emotions throughout with relative ease. This film is certainly entertaining to watch.