Ideal Husband, An (1999)

reviewed by
Murali Krishnan



[2.5/4.0]

The title of this film initially appears to refer to Sir Robert Chiltern (Jeremy Northam), who is a respected member of Parliament. He is popular and has a bright future, apparantly on the fast track to higher offices. He is married to the equally respected and upright Lady Gertrud Chiltern (Cate Blanchett). Sir Chiltern is put in a bind when the coniving Mrs. Laura Cheveley (Julianne Moore) appears on the scene. She has uncovered evidence of a past indiscretion by Chiltern, and threatens to expose it if he does not support a dubious piece of legislation in which she has a vested interested. He had already taken a position against it, thinking it a scam, but now he must choose between saving his reputation and career, or acting in his country's best interest.

The common link to these three characters is the primary character, Lord Arthur Goring (Rupert Everett). He is a close friend of both the Chilterns, and was once engaged to Mrs. Cheveley, and because of the entangled relationships, he is drawn in to the blackmail scheme. Added to all this is Sir Chiltern's sister, Mabel (Minnie Driver), who has been turning down a regular series of marriage proposals because she desires Lord Goring. Goring is by far the most entertaining character. He is an avowed bachelor, much to the consternation of his father, the stuffy Earl of Caversham (John Wood). Goring epitomizes the self-absorbed bachelor, taking nothing besides himself seriously. He is utterly vain and dismissive of those things he does not care for.

Like a typical story by Oscar Wilde, this one has plenty of wry dialog. The humor is derived from mistaken identities and crossed communication. The situational variety of comedy is initially amusing, but becomes annoying when it is overused in the climax. However, the dialog never becomes tiresome, with all the best lines delivered by Lord Goring.

Recommended. Although the story lacks depth, it is entertaining. The characters' wrestling with morality and ethics is mostly uninteresting, but the story is redeemed by its humor. The situation comedy eventually becomes tedious, but the verbal fencing is continuosly delightful and engaging.


(c) 1999 Murali Krishnan
The Art House Squatter
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