An Ideal Husband Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A politician gets blackmailed, his friend flirts with everyone, and witty banter ensues until everyone either gets married or goes to Vienna.

🍿 An Ideal Husband: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction of the Players

Sir Robert Chiltern is a respected government minister with a loving wife, Gertrude. Their seemingly perfect lives are disrupted by the arrival of Mrs. Cheveley, who possesses compromising evidence of Sir Robert’s past. Lord Goring, a witty bachelor and friend to Sir Robert, becomes entangled in the ensuing drama.

Mrs. Cheveley’s Blackmail

Mrs. Cheveley attempts to blackmail Sir Robert into supporting a fraudulent Argentine canal scheme. She threatens to expose a past misdeed that enabled his wealth and political success if he refuses. Sir Robert is torn between his ambition and the potential ruin of his reputation and marriage.

Lord Goring’s Intervention

Sir Robert seeks help from Lord Goring, who has a history with Mrs. Cheveley. Goring devises a plan to outwit Mrs. Cheveley and protect Sir Robert’s reputation. Goring’s seemingly idle demeanor masks a sharp intellect and a strong moral compass.

Gertrude’s Idealism

Lady Chiltern, a woman of unwavering moral principles, struggles with the revelation of her husband’s past. Her idealized view of Sir Robert is challenged, leading to conflict and questioning the foundations of their relationship. Gertrude’s journey involves reconciling her ideals with the complexities of human nature.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sir Robert Chiltern (Jeremy Northam): A successful government minister whose past misdeed is threatened to be exposed by Mrs. Cheveley.
• Lord Goring (Rupert Everett): A seemingly idle bachelor and friend of Sir Robert, who becomes embroiled in the blackmail plot and seeks to resolve it.
• Mrs. Cheveley (Julianne Moore): A scheming woman who attempts to blackmail Sir Robert Chiltern with a damaging secret from his past.
• Gertrude (Cate Blanchett): Sir Robert’s virtuous and loving wife whose faith in her husband is tested by the unfolding scandal.
• Mabel (Minnie Driver): Sir Robert’s quick-witted sister who is infatuated with Lord Goring and provides comic relief.
• Lord Caversham (John Wood): Lord Goring’s father, who constantly pressures his son to marry and take life more seriously.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lord Arthur Goring: “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” – A witty remark highlighting his self-absorbed but charming personality.
• Lord Caversham: “What are you doing here, sir? Wasting your time, as usual?” – A disapproving father’s constant question to his seemingly idle son, Lord Goring.
• Lord Arthur Goring: “My dear father, when one pays a visit, it is for the purpose of wasting other people’s time and not one’s own.” – Lord Goring’s humorous and sarcastic reply to his father’s disapproval.
• Lord Arthur Goring: “I enjoy talking about nothing, father. It’s the only thing I know anything about.” – Said to his father, illustrating his apparent lack of seriousness, which belies his underlying intelligence.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $14,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $18,542,974
• Worldwide Gross: $18,542,974

💥 An Ideal Husband Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed this movie! The witty dialogue had me laughing throughout. Rupert Everett’s performance as Lord Goring was particularly memorable, he really stole every scene he was in. I also loved the costumes and set designs, they completely immersed me in the Victorian era. Definitely a fun watch!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Oscar Wilde adaptations”
  • “Viewers who enjoy period dramas and comedies of manners”
  • “Those interested in stories about love, betrayal, and forgiveness”
  • “Audiences who appreciate witty dialogue and strong performances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild thematic elements related to blackmail and deceit”
  • “Some mature themes related to marriage and morality”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb User Review: “Parker’s revitalizing of Oscar Wilde’s classic play is filmmaking at its finest. It is a film you will want to see again and again, just to discover all the lines within the lines. Rupert Everett delivers an exquisite performance.
• IMDb User Review: “With all the Oscar Wilde wit which sounds wonderfully fresh here, there are also rich moments of emotional depth throughout this amusing but also quite moving film. One theme is how little it can take to destroy a reputation.
• IMDb User Review: “Beautifully shot and paced, with an expert cast. Wilde’s humor shines through, and the writer-director has done a wonderful job “opening” up the play into a film, without changing anything important. It’s a masterful job of translating from stage to screen. It’s really so crisply done, and very funny.

Audience Reactions

Rupert Everett as Lord Goring is the best reason to watch this movie because he embodies Wilde’s wit and charm.: Audiences praise the witty dialogue, strong performances (especially Rupert Everett), and beautiful costumes.

Overall Consensus: A witty and charming adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s play, praised for its strong performances and beautiful visuals.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on Oscar Wilde’s 1895 play of the same name, a satire of Victorian society.”
• “Oliver Parker, the director, also makes a cameo appearance in the film as ‘Bunbury,’ one of the gentlemen playing cards with Lord Goring. Bunbury is also a character in another of Wilde’s plays, ‘The Importance of Being Earnest,’ which is performed in the background of some scenes.”
• “The film opens out the play and includes a few in-jokes for Wilde fans. “

🖥️ How to Watch An Ideal Husband?

You can stream ‘An Ideal Husband’ on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Purchase or rental options are also available on these platforms. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed An Ideal Husband, you might like these similar films:

• The Importance of Being Earnest (2002): Another adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s play, focusing on wit and social satire in Victorian England, with similar themes of mistaken identity and love.
• A Good Woman (2004): Another Oscar Wilde adaptation with similar themes of morality and secrets within a high society setting.
• Shakespeare in Love (1998): Captures the wit, theatricality, and charm of a bygone era with a focus on love, secrets, and social conventions.
• Love & Friendship (2016): A witty and satirical period drama based on a Jane Austen novel, exploring similar themes of social maneuvering and romantic entanglements.

🛒 An Ideal Husband Related Products

• The Importance of Being Earnest and Other Plays (Penguin Classics): A collection of Oscar Wilde’s greatest plays, showcasing his wit and social commentary. Perfect for fans who want to explore Wilde’s other works.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Oscar Wilde: A Funko Pop figure of Oscar Wilde. Add this piece of pop culture to your home today.
• Victorian Era Style Brooch Pin for Women: A gorgeous brooch. A classic design that will bring the Victorian Era to any style.
• An Ideal Husband (1999) [Blu-ray]: Get the high-defition Blu-Ray version of this movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

An Ideal Husband features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Ideal Husband – Suite” – performed by Benjamin Wallfisch
• “Waltz” – performed by Benjamin Wallfisch

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Father John Misty: ‘The Ideal Husband,’ Live On Soundcheck

Ever wondered what ‘The Ideal Husband’ sounds like as a soulful, slightly cynical ballad? Father John Misty’s live performance of this song offers a really interesting, and somewhat dark, take on the concept. Check it out!

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