Lindsey Lowson / 02 September 2025 / Categories: Movie and TV Shows, Movie

An Ideal Husband 1999 based on A play by Oscar Wilde 1895

A family movie written and directed by Oliver Parker

An Ideal Husband

Rupert Everett, Cate Blanchett, Jeremy Northam, Julianne Moore and Minnie Driver at their beautiful people best in this Oscar Wilde adaptation of the play by the same name described as Roaringly funny and witty as hell and I have to agree.

Lord Arther Goring, a handsome ne’er do well played by a very dashing Rupert Everett, the film came out in 1999 has some of the best lines,

"I love talking about nothing, Father. It's the only thing I know anything about"

“ Fashion is what one wears oneself. What is unfashionable is what other people wear. Other people are quite dreadful. The only possible society is oneself.”

And on the subject of love,

"It takes great courage to see the world in all its tainted glory, and still to love it" and that "To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance"

It’s a little bit dated and if you’ve already seen the film countless times, like me, it can get a bit slow in places, but the costumes for the 1999 film An Ideal Husband were designed by Caroline Harris, who was nominated for a BAFTA award for her work on the film and are absolutely splendid. She did have a tough act to follow as the famed Cecil Beaton was credited for the costumes in the 1947 adaptation of the play, also worth a watch for die hard fans of Oscar Wilde.

The story is one of romance cleverly intertwined with reality, and wit, the darkest of humour and clever repartee that finally put Oscar Wilde in prison. The truth is very hard to swallow.

But when Wilde shines his side eye on the affairs of the heart the result is usually mesmerising and this super talented at the time young cast bring the story to life in a very special way. The enigmatic Julianne Moore brings villainess Mrs Laura Cheveley to life as the ruthless ex love interest of cad and lazy charming good for nothing Lord Arthur Goring.

The actual story centres around the life of Sir Robert Chiltern, a respected politician who built his fortune by selling a cabinet secret for personal gain years ago. His life is threatened by Mrs Laura Cheveley played by Julianne Moore who attempts to blackmail him. To protect his reputation and marriage to Cate Blanchett, Lady Chiltern, from ruin, he must navigate the complexities of political corruption, public honor, and personal morality with the help of his clever and witty friend, Lord Arthur Goring who has romantic history with Mrs Cheveley ultimately reconciling with his wife, Lady Chiltern whose no. 1 concern is the maintain her desire for an "ideal" husband.

It’s a great family watch and a little bit educational for any young people studying English, English History or the work of Oscar Wilde himself. And very very funny, clever and well acted for anyone who enjoys a remarkably well adapted script written and directed by Oliver Parker based on the play of 1895 by the same name.

The win didn’t do so well with in the awards stakes receiving 17 nominations but only four wins, for costume and make up. Rupert Everett was nominated for his 2nd Golden Globe for his portrayal of Lord Goring but didn’t win. He was undeservedly to my mind pipped at the post by Jim Carrey for The Truman Show.

If you loved watching Everett steal the show as George in My Best Friends Wedding, starring Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz, this characterisation and wonderful acting comes a very close second.