An Ideal Husband
Date viewed: June 19, 1999
Location: Chelsea Cinemas, Manhattan
Cate Blanchett, Minnie Driver, Julianne Moore, and Rupert Everett in one movie. Does it really matter what I have to say about it? Go see it for goodness sake! Didn't you read the cast list in the first sentence?
This movie is based on the play by Oscar Wilde. It's a costume drama set in London a long time ago. (The year doesn't really matter. Didn't you read the cast list in the first sentence?) If you are expecting some light, funny, fluff such as Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice or Emma, you may be disappointed. Wilde has a very dry, sarcastic humor and wit. It's funny--but not the hold-your-sides, laugh-until-you-cry, ah-isn't-that-cute funny. Just keep that in mind.
Stunning Cate Blanchett is married to haven't-I-seen-him-in-something-before Jeremy Northam. He's a political big wig. Delightful Minnie Driver is his younger sister. The delectable Rupert Everett is their best friend and a lazy bachelor about town. Effervescent Julianne Moore plays an evil shrew that holds a scandalous secret from Jeremy's past. She plans to ruin him unless he votes her way in a big political debate. Secrets are kept, identities are mistaken, beautiful clothes are worn, witty lines are bantered about, and a good time is had by all.
The story is fairly simplistic, even though it gets a little muddled at the end as everyone tries to explain the lies that have been told. The sets and costumes are sumptuous. Julianne Moore has truly alabaster skin and delivers her lines as cool as a cucumber. Mr. Everett is so gorgeous and wears the best clothes so well I only wish I could be as hip as he is. Everyone is superb and the story has been around for a long, long time. It can't be all bad.
Listen to me: Hurry up and go see it. Didn't you read the cast list in the first sentence?
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