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An Ideal Husband

  • 1999
  • PG-13
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
16K
YOUR RATING
Julianne Moore, Minnie Driver, Rupert Everett, Jeremy Northam, and Cate Blanchett in An Ideal Husband (1999)
Trailer
Play trailer1:58
1 Video
78 Photos
ComedyRomance

London 1895: Cabinet minister, Sir Chiltern, and bachelor, Lord Goring, are victims of scheming women.London 1895: Cabinet minister, Sir Chiltern, and bachelor, Lord Goring, are victims of scheming women.London 1895: Cabinet minister, Sir Chiltern, and bachelor, Lord Goring, are victims of scheming women.

  • Director
    • Oliver Parker
  • Writers
    • Oscar Wilde
    • Oliver Parker
  • Stars
    • Rupert Everett
    • Julianne Moore
    • Peter Vaughan
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    16K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Oliver Parker
    • Writers
      • Oscar Wilde
      • Oliver Parker
    • Stars
      • Rupert Everett
      • Julianne Moore
      • Peter Vaughan
    • 143User reviews
    • 79Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards
      • 4 wins & 17 nominations total

    Videos1

    An Ideal Husband
    Trailer 1:58
    Watch An Ideal Husband

    Photos78

    Arthur, Gertrud & Mabel
    Gertrud & Arthur
    Cate Blanchett as Gertrud
    Mel Gibson at an event for An Ideal Husband (1999)
    Mel Gibson at an event for An Ideal Husband (1999)
    Madonna and Rupert Everett at an event for An Ideal Husband (1999)
    Madonna and Rupert Everett at an event for An Ideal Husband (1999)
    Madonna and Rupert Everett at an event for An Ideal Husband (1999)
    Madonna and Rupert Everett at an event for An Ideal Husband (1999)
    Madonna and Rupert Everett at an event for An Ideal Husband (1999)
    Angus Macfadyen at an event for An Ideal Husband (1999)
    Angus Macfadyen at an event for An Ideal Husband (1999)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Rupert Everett
    Rupert Everett
    • Lord Goring
    Julianne Moore
    Julianne Moore
    • Mrs Cheveley
    Peter Vaughan
    Peter Vaughan
    • Phipps
    Minnie Driver
    Minnie Driver
    • Mabel
    Cate Blanchett
    Cate Blanchett
    • Gertrude
    Ben Pullen
    Ben Pullen
    • Tommy Trafford
    Marsha Fitzalan
    Marsha Fitzalan
    • Countess
    Lindsay Duncan
    Lindsay Duncan
    • Lady Markby
    Neville Phillips
    Neville Phillips
    • Mason
    John Wood
    John Wood
    • Lord Caversham
    Jeremy Northam
    Jeremy Northam
    • Sir Robert
    Nickolas Grace
    Nickolas Grace
    • Vicounte de Nanjac
    Simon Russell Beale
    Simon Russell Beale
    • Sir Edward
    Anna Patrick
    Anna Patrick
    • Miss Danvers
    Delia Lindsay
    Delia Lindsay
    • Lady Basildon
    Denise Stephenson
    Denise Stephenson
    • Gwendolen
    Charles Edwards
    Charles Edwards
    • Jack
    Nancy Carroll
    • Cecily
    • Director
      • Oliver Parker
    • Writers
      • Oscar Wilde
      • Oliver Parker
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The play attended by the characters in the movie is Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest." The tall, older man who addresses the audience from the stage at the end of the play represents Wilde, who actually did address the audience at the first performance of his play.
    • Goofs
      At the reception at the Chiltern's home, Sir Robert is requested to meet the Indian Ambassador. In 1895 India was a British possession and there could not be such an Ambassador who represents only independent states.
    • Quotes

      Lord Arthur Goring: 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.

    • Crazy credits
      The credits list Oliver Parker, the director, as playing "Bunbury", one of the gentlemen that is seen playing cards with Lord Goring in the Men's Club when Lord Chiltern arrives. Bunbury is also a never-seen character in "The Importance of Being Earnest", the play which is performed in the background of several scenes of this film.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me/The Red Violin/Just a Little Harmless Sex/An Ideal Husband/Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl (1999)

    User reviews143

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Superb filmmaking
    To say that this film is a filmmaking tour de force would be a great injustice. It is far better than that. Oliver Parker's revitalizing of Oscar Wilde's classic play is filmmaking at its finest.

    Every element of this film is superlative. Wilde's story as adapted to the screen by Parker is witty, intelligent and engaging from start to finish. Seldom can you find a story that attempts to be a romantic comedy, a tale of duplicity blackmail and betrayal, and a drama of political intrigue, and succeeds so well on all counts.

    The intricate weave of deception, manipulation and double entendre along with comic misperception, irony and rapier witted dialogue are delicious and classic Wilde. This is a film you will want to see again and again, just to discover all the lines within the lines.

    I cannot say enough about the brilliance of Oliver Parker's direction in this film. He has captured late 19th Century aristocratic England with vivid and rich images that put the viewer right into the period. David Johnson's cinematography is fantastic, with every scene working well as to lighting and color. The beautiful blend of colors in the costumes and the set always looked like they belonged together. Parker also provides numerous interesting camera angles that help dramatize the scenes. It serves to remind us that glorious films can still be made relying on the creative eye of the director rather than special effects.

    The acting was delightful. Rupert Everett, as the self absorbed Lord Arthur Goring, delivers an exquisite performance as the unscrupulous rogue upon whom the mantle of truth and honor is laid.

    Julianne Moore was delightful as the evil and cunning Mrs. Cheveley. As cold, manipulative and heartless as she is with Chiltern and Lady Chiltern, she is that vulnerable and helpless with Lord Goring, for whom she has long held a flame. Moore handles this emotional juggling act with great skill and you find yourself simultaneously loving her ingeniousness and hating her treachery.

    Cate Blanchett turns in another wonderful performance as the oh-so-perfect, Lady Gertrud Chiltern. Jeremy Northam is also excellent as Robert Chiltern, the man of untouchable character with a scandalous secret in his past. Even Minnie Driver is charming as Robert's sister.

    This is a terrific film for the refined viewer who appreciates all aspects of filmmaking. Even for those not into the art of filmmaking, it is simply great entertainment. I can think of no negative criticism of it. It is well written, directed, photographed and acted. It is filmmaking the way it was meant to be. A perfect 10.
    helpful•49
    11
    • FlickJunkie-2
    • Jan 19, 2000

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 30, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ідеальний чоловік
    • Filming locations
      • London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Arts Council of England
      • Fragile Films
      • Pathé Pictures International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $14,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $18,542,974
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $192,802
      • Jun 20, 1999
    • Gross worldwide
      • $18,542,974
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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