A Good Woman (2004)

While retaining her secret identity, the illustrious Mrs. Erlynne (Hunt) saves Lady Windemere (Johansson) from making a grand social faux-pas with the scoundrelly Lord Darlington (Moore).

Director:

Mike Barker

Writers:

Oscar Wilde (play), Howard Himelstein (screenplay)

Stars:

Helen Hunt, Scarlett Johansson, Milena Vukotic

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Helen Hunt	...	Mrs. Erlynne
Scarlett Johansson	...	Meg Windermere
Milena Vukotic	...	Contessa Lucchino
Stephen Campbell Moore	...	Lord Darlington
Mark Umbers	...	Robert Windemere
Roger Hammond	...	Cecil
John Standing	...	Dumby
Tom Wilkinson	...	Tuppy
Giorgia Massetti	...	Alessandra
Diana Hardcastle	...	Lady Plymdale
Shara Orano	...	Francesca
Jane How	...	Mrs. Stutfield
Bruce McGuire	...	Waiter Joe
Michael Stromme	...	Hotel Desk Clerk
Antonio Barbaro	...	Paulo

Storyline

In 1930, Mrs. Erlynne, who describes herself as poor and infamous, driven from New York society by jealous wives, sees a news photo of wealthy Lord Windermere and his young wife: she heads for the Amalfi Coast to be among the rich and famous for 'the season' and to snare Mr. Windermere. Gossips twitter as he spends his afternoons with her, his wife blissfully innocent as she blushingly fends off attentions from a young English nobleman, an international playboy who thinks he's in love. Mrs. Erlynne is also pursued by a worldly-wise older English nobleman. Mrs. Windermere's 20th birthday party approaches, where all plays out amid numerous amoral Wildean aphorisms.

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Plot Keywords:

lord | lady | gossip | 1930s | birthday | 

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Taglines:

Every saint has a past. Every sinner has a future.

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Genres:

Drama | Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic material, sensuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

Lions Gate Films [us] Vertigo Films [uk]

Country:

UK Italy Spain Luxembourg USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

13 May 2005 (UK)

Also Known As:

Mujer seductora, amante perfecta

Filming Locations:

Amalfi, Salerno, Campania, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$97,060 (USA) (3 February 2006)

Gross:

$223,144 (USA) (17 February 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beyond Films, Magic Hour Media, Thema Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"A Good Woman" is a theatrical version of Oscar Wilde's 1892 four-act comedy, "Lady Windermere's Fan."

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Goofs

The instrument being played in the band at the party is not a cornet, but a flugelhorn. In some of the musical selections, the sound heard is that of an unmuted trumpet, in others, it is that of a trumpet with a Harmon mute. The flugelhorn, as shown has an entirely different timbre.

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Quotes

Cecil: Men don't trust women. Women don't trust women. No one trusts women. It's what binds the Catholic and the Hindu.

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Connections

Version of Lady Windermere's Fan (1916)

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Soundtracks

"A Te, O Cara Amor Talora"
Written by Vincenzo Bellini, Public Domain
Performed by The La Scala Orchestra ft Glacomo Lauri-Volpi

User Reviews

A must see movie

I feel this is the best film I have seen for a very long time. As a UK BAFTA member had I have seen it in competition earlier this year (and I don't know why it was not BAFTA nominated) I would have cast my vote for it in most major categories....particularly Direction, Editing, Performances, Design, Make up, Costume, Music and more, even Best Film.

The only criticism I have is the title....and this may have held it back from popular interest. Luckily a friend in the industry tipped me off that it was an exceptional movie and I feel without doubt it definitely is, so I am tipping you off...go and see it! Stunning performances from the entire cast. Thank goodness we can still produce movies as entertaining as this one!