This movie is one of the better romantic comedies. Julianna Moore steals the show as a beautiful but conniving woman who concocts an elaborate plot to snare a man, a confirmed bachelor, for marriage and in the process sets off a series of unanticipated but amusing events. Rupert Everett plays the target of Ms. Moore's intrigue; only one actor could have played the role better: George Sanders. What makes this movie even more entertaining is that the Moore/Everett characters mirror one another as each one tries to outdo the other's cynicism, with amusing results. All kinds of embarrassing moments occur as miscommunication leads to havoc which one hopes will be sorted out. The movie is based on a story by Oscar Wilde, which means that it will contain a lot of wit and biting commentary on the pomposity and decadence of the upper of the upper classes. This movie is wonderful.

An Ideal Husband is a feast of exquisite language and subtle intrigues. If you have not seen this version of the play, you would be served well by a viewing.This comedy of manners by Oscar Wilde has been given its just due in the production starring Rupert Everett, Julianne Moore, Cate Blanchett, Minnie Driver, and Jeremy Northam. These actors are excellent in their parts, but Moore and Everett stand out in their roles of the blackmailer with the heart of gold and the shallow ne'er-do-well whose crafty brilliance saves the day.John Wood, who plays Everett's exasperated father, should also be mentioned. One might say that his performance is over the top, but that is exactly what is needed for the part.The film starts slowly, so you must have patience in order to be rewarded. If you are not familiar with the play you might be helped in your appreciation of the film by viewing the featurette included on the DVD. It serves as a worthy preface for the film.It is interesting to note that, about the time this play was being written, Wilde was about to become involved in his trial for being a homosexual the results of which would send him to prison and destroy much of his spirit.How ironic that the social conventions that Wilde so expertly and exquisitely barbed would have such a tragic influence upon his personal life. Enjoy the film as a look at history and as a reminder that social attitudes continue to exert considerable influence upon human behavior.

This screen version of the Oscar Wilde play is gorgeous to look at, has an all-star cast and opens out the action superbly. I'm still not quite sure what audience the producers hoped to attract but then who would ever have guessed a movie entitle "Shakespeare in Love" would win the Oscar as the year's best picture.Of course, Wilde's original play isn't quite in "The Importance of Being Earnest" class, (and in a nice touch the characters here attend a performance of that very play), but director Oliver Parker pulls out all the stops and the end result is very entertaining. The epigrammatic Wilde character is Lord Goring and Rupert Everett fits the part like a well-tailored glove but again it's the women who hold court and both Cate Blanchett, (Lady Chiltern), and Julianne Moore, (the very devious Mrs. Cheveley), are excellent while Jeremy Northam is a surprisingly effective Sir Robert. Indeed. it's hard to fault the piece. I'm sure and intelligent and grown-up audience will agree.

Here was a chance not just to see a movie aimed at grown-ups but to see CATE BLANCHETT as well. Truthfully, I enjoy more contemporary settings for English movies and Cate was certainly more appealing covered with western grit and grime in THE MISSING than covered from head to toe in formal clothes. This Oscar Wilde comedy did not yield so much as a chuckle, but as a story it was moderately interesting. I had to keep in mind their excesses and mannerisms were part of the alleged comedy.When my mind wandered away from the inadequate storyline, I was thinking that the England and the English upper class pictured herein were not much to my liking, but it was people like this that ran the Empire at the time when England ruled most of the world. Both Iran and Iraq, as well as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, were under British control --- and life was more peaceful for us all.