A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: An Ideal Husband

Date Viewed: 7/5/99

Details:

Cate Blanchett

Minnie Driver

Rupert Everett

Julianne Moore

Jeremy Northam

Director: Oliver Parker

Score: +

The Review: A romantic comedy of errors based on the recently popular play by Oscar Wilde, An Ideal Husband sparkles with wit and is delicious fun. The time is early 1900's, during the "London season," when parties and politics run rampant. Rupert Everett, as a marginally dissipated young gentleman cleverly avoiding marriage, and Jeremy Northam, as an aspiring young M.P., are long-time best friends. For nearly as long, Everett has been confidant and platonic friend of Cate Blanchett, now Northam's supportive and loving wife. Minnie Driver is persistently pursuing Everett, who appears oblivious. Julianne Moore comes from Northam's past with a secret that promises to blow him off the political scene and destroy his marriage. From that point, the plot (as they say) thickens, the dialog is fast, and confusion rapidly settles in. Classic Wilde. An excellent ensemble cast. Moore has a delicious vindictiveness about her as she tries to find an ideal husband of connivance in Everett. Recommended.

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