In today's world, scandals, verbal mishaps and secrets dredged from one's past can damage a reputation faster than the faux pas can be aired on TV, written about in the papers, or gossiped at the water cooler. Thus, the popularity of spin doctors whose job it is to perform damage control and spin the press and the public's attention away to something else.
In times gone by and before the quick to react mass press, such "spinage" was a more of a subtle art. That's the fun of the latest adaption of Oscar Wilde's 1895 play "An Ideal Husband." A story of several characters' reaction to a politically-based blackmail scheme, Wilde's delightfully witty play may be less well-known than his more famous "The Importance of Being Earnest," but this version is nonetheless a delight to watch and listen to.
Wilde, famous for spinning conventional thought onto its head with his witty sayings -- he was the Yogi Bera of his time -- cleverly used the late 19th century piece to attack the stuffy and well- refined conventions of its era -- of course, in a sophisticated fashion -- but it still plays well today.
As written and directed by Oliver Parker (1995's "Othello"), this adaption may offend purists with its jettisoning of some minor characters and including a fun, inside joke where the characters attend a theatrical performance of "The Importance of Being Earnest" that includes an appearance by Wilde to take an audience bow.
Today's audiences probably won't even be aware of such modifications, but will certainly enjoy the witty repartee that made Wilde and his plays so famous. Some examples include "I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about," ""When one pays a visit it is for the purpose of wasting other people's time, not one's own" and "To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance."
Most of those fun lines and quips come from the character of Lord Goring -- played to perfection by Rupert Everett -- who, to anyone remotely familiar with the playwright, is simply Wilde in disguise. The fun of the character and Rupert's performance is that he's so full of himself, yet is consciously aware of that and the fact that others know the same, that it's a blast to watch Goring and the other characters interact.
In fact, as the film starts out resembling a "Dangerous Liaisons" type story, the characters -- wanting and needing to react to the blackmail scheme but knowing that they need to preserve their dignity -- cautiously begin a social dance around each other, with the often sharp and biting dialogue being their preferred weapon of choice. Being a time and society of constraint, Goring can't just grab an incriminating letter from Cheveley, but instead must use verbal bait in an effort to distract and/or deceive her.
The results are entertaining in a subtle, black comedy fashion, but interestingly, the story shifts gears about midway through and begins a transformation over to more of a romantic comedy. While that might initially seem odd, the change actually makes sense. More important, however, it works and turns the film into even more of an enjoyable -- and not quite so dark -- piece of entertainment.
Beyond the excellent and fun to hear dialogue, the well-written characters and the performers who bring them to life are what make the film shine. Rupert Everett ("William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream," "My Best Friend's Wedding) is perfectly cast as Lord Goring as if the role were written specifically for him. With the best lines and most fun character, Everett has a field day with his role and delivers an excellent and crowd-pleasing performance.
Julianne Moore ("Cookie's Fortune," "Boogie Nights"), on the other hand, plays the story's villain, but is quite good in the role. While this American actress initially seems out of place and perhaps even miscast for her character, she quickly dispels any such thoughts as she gives Miss Cheveley the proper nuances to not only make her seem authentic, but also get the audience to despise her.
Jeremy Northam ("The Winslow Boy," "Emma"), who gave a standout performance in David Mamet's recent "The Winslow Boy" as the confidant lawyer, successfully goes somewhat in the opposite direction playing a more subdued and unsure of himself character. Meanwhile, Cate Blanchett ("Elizabeth," "Pushing Tin") delivers another winning performance as Chiltern's proper and restrained wife.
Supporting performances are decent, from John Wood as Goring's appropriately pompous father to Peter Vaughan's take as the bachelor's tired but proper butler. While Minnie Driver ("The Governess," "Good Will Hunting") is decent as Arthur's secret suitor, her character often feels like she's in limbo. Never quite a full character and appearing too often for true supporting status, her appearances occasionally seem a bit awkward, although that's not to discredit Driver's performance.
With the appropriately lush production and costume designs, decent cinematography and an entertaining and lively score, the film is as much fun to look at as the story is to follow. While some mainstream moviegoers may avoid this picture thinking it's yet another stuffy period piece, it's anything but. Although at one point in the movie Lord Goring says, "I always pass on good advice. It is the only thing to do with it" we think you should follow ours and see this delightful little film. We give "An Ideal Husband" a 7.5 out of 10.
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