Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > An Ideal Husband (1999)
An Ideal Husband
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

An Ideal Husband (1999) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 49 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
6.7/10   7,569 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 14% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Oliver Parker
Writers:
Oscar Wilde (play)
Oliver Parker (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for An Ideal Husband on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 June 1999 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Romance more
Tagline:
He just doesn't know it yet.
Plot:
Sir Robert Chiltern is a successful Government minister, well-off and with a loving wife. All this is... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 4 wins & 14 nominations more
User Comments:
Witty, fresh but lacking substance for those looking for it more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for brief sensuality/nudity.
Runtime:
97 min
Country:
UK | USA
Language:
English
Colour:
Colour (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Filming Locations:
London, England, UK more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
At Lord Goring's Club, a background character says "Come now, Bunbury!" Bunbury is an imaginary sick friend invented by a character in "The Importance of Being Earnest" as an excuse to visit the country. That play is performed in the background in several scenes of the movie. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: 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. more
Quotes:
Lord Arthur Goring: Excuse me a moment. I'm in the middle of my performance of the attentive son. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Jeopardy!: (2005-11-11)" (2005) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
6 out of 10 people found the following comment useful:-
Witty, fresh but lacking substance for those looking for it, 10 April 2004
Author: bob the moo from Birmingham, UK

Sir Robert Chiltern is a member of parliament, a member of rich society and in a loving relationship with his beautiful wife. All this comes under threat when Mrs Cheveley arrives to blackmail him with a letter from his past unless he change his stance on a motion passing through parliament. Chiltern turns to his friend, the idle and self obsessed Lord Goring for help, drawing him into a game of deception and love.

The audience for this film is pretty easy to define. I quite often see Wilde's plays as matters of you either like them or you don't. If you are looking for something with a very engaging plot, deep characters and plenty of substance then this is not going to be the film to come to. Instead the focus is on witty word play, confused love interests in a battle of the sexes and deception that spins away from the truth. This works well as long as you know what to expect. The film opens out the play and includes a few in-jokes for Wilde fans and it is effective in making for a slick product even if it takes the edge of the actual characters.

The witty dialogue is good and it won't disappoint fans of the play. The direction uses the locations and sets really well, giving the film a sense of period that it really needs. I am a reverse snob (I know I shouldn't be!) and the spoilt romances of the well educated and privileged upper classes is of no interest to me - but in this setting it works!

The cast is impressively heavy weight but the honours are stolen by two main actors. Everett was born for this sort of whimsy and he does it exceedingly well, making his character playful and fun. Driver is also great as his love interest and her scenes with Everett are the best of the film. The rest of the cast are all excellent even if they don't have quite as much fun as these two. Moore does well while Blanchett and Northam are both good despite not having a fair share of the wit. Wood and Vaughan both have small roles but get laughs every time!

Overall this is a sparky little movie that will appeal to those who love the cut and thrust of well written, witty dialogue and playful to's and fro's between the characters. I need say no more - the audience for this film already know who they are and vice versa.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for An Ideal Husband (1999)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Differences Between Play + Movie bauhausblack
Victorian Love vs True Love destomones
Music sparkle4513
Harmless uncharming romp... hannahp1
Julianne Moore Wendolene_Ramsbottom
Goring and Gertrude Electric_Light_Manatee
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
An Ideal Husband The Phantom of the Opera Tom Jones The Heartbreak Kid Behind That Curtain
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb UK section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.