SPOILERS
In classical text, there's always one or two authors who's use of language reveals their identity. In some of Shakespeare's lesser known plays, his use of pros often shows the audience that it is one of his productions. On a similar vein, Oscar Wilde's work can always be identified by the stunning, witty satire which he writes. In the case of "An Ideal Husband" from 1998, this is never more obvious. Whilst not his most famous or best play, this piece of work is still worthy of our attention. With a relatively unknown cast, and a low budget setting, the story is relocated to a more modern era in a way which is worthy of credit.
In "An Ideal Husband" we are introduced to Sir Robert Chiltern (James Wilby). Recently successful in a political campaign, Robert's wife Gertrude (Trevyn McDowell) and his sister Mabel (Karen Hayley) throw a dinner in his honour. Unfortunately however, at this party, the conniving Mrs Laura Cheveley (Sadie Frost) arrives with knowledge of Robert's past and a proposition to put to him.
This production was the first of two to be released in a two year stretch. With the second piece released the following year with a considerably grander cast (Cate Blanchett, Minnie Driver, Rupert Everett, Jeremy Northam and many more) that production gives the appearance of being of better quality. Having only witnessed this version however, it is unfair to truely compare. The one point worthy of mention is that whilst Rupert Everett is an excellent actor, as Algernon in 2002's "The Importance Of Being Earnest", it feels like he doesn't do the character justice. In this play therefore, for Rupert Everett to play the character of Lord Arthur Goring does not feel particularly right. Arthur is a lazy man of leisure, quite similar to Algernon, however he feels distinctly more like he fulfills the "bad boy" persona. Therefore, irrelevant of the feature, it feels more logical to cast Jonathan Firth than Everett.
The general low budget casting in this film is generally very good. With one or two familiars in the form of Prunella Scales and Robert Hardy in the lineup, the right mix of unknowns and old hands is about right. The only disappointment perhaps is that Sadie Frost, famous perhaps more for her relationship with Jude Law, is at times irritating and infuriating. This is a shame really as the rest of the cast provide performances ranging from adequate to good, and Frost lowers the standards a bit too much.
Aside from the acting, and the beautiful script, the only other comment which can really be said about this film is that at times it feels slightly too dark and dreary. With aspects of the film being set at night, we experience certain parts in a gloomy location where the emotions of the actors are limited by the shadows. At times this film really feels perhaps too low budget.
All in all, this version of "An Ideal Husband" is a nice way to introduce people to some of Wilde's less well known work. Whilst the play is in general inferior to "The Importance Of Being Earnest", that doesn't stop it from being a joy to watch. Less well known than the following years production, and probably done with less of a budget, this performance is still worthy of a place in someone's Oscar Wilde collection. Witty and stylish, if slightly too badly lit, this is a clever performance of another Wilde masterpiece.
In classical text, there's always one or two authors who's use of language reveals their identity. In some of Shakespeare's lesser known plays, his use of pros often shows the audience that it is one of his productions. On a similar vein, Oscar Wilde's work can always be identified by the stunning, witty satire which he writes. In the case of "An Ideal Husband" from 1998, this is never more obvious. Whilst not his most famous or best play, this piece of work is still worthy of our attention. With a relatively unknown cast, and a low budget setting, the story is relocated to a more modern era in a way which is worthy of credit.
In "An Ideal Husband" we are introduced to Sir Robert Chiltern (James Wilby). Recently successful in a political campaign, Robert's wife Gertrude (Trevyn McDowell) and his sister Mabel (Karen Hayley) throw a dinner in his honour. Unfortunately however, at this party, the conniving Mrs Laura Cheveley (Sadie Frost) arrives with knowledge of Robert's past and a proposition to put to him.
This production was the first of two to be released in a two year stretch. With the second piece released the following year with a considerably grander cast (Cate Blanchett, Minnie Driver, Rupert Everett, Jeremy Northam and many more) that production gives the appearance of being of better quality. Having only witnessed this version however, it is unfair to truely compare. The one point worthy of mention is that whilst Rupert Everett is an excellent actor, as Algernon in 2002's "The Importance Of Being Earnest", it feels like he doesn't do the character justice. In this play therefore, for Rupert Everett to play the character of Lord Arthur Goring does not feel particularly right. Arthur is a lazy man of leisure, quite similar to Algernon, however he feels distinctly more like he fulfills the "bad boy" persona. Therefore, irrelevant of the feature, it feels more logical to cast Jonathan Firth than Everett.
The general low budget casting in this film is generally very good. With one or two familiars in the form of Prunella Scales and Robert Hardy in the lineup, the right mix of unknowns and old hands is about right. The only disappointment perhaps is that Sadie Frost, famous perhaps more for her relationship with Jude Law, is at times irritating and infuriating. This is a shame really as the rest of the cast provide performances ranging from adequate to good, and Frost lowers the standards a bit too much.
Aside from the acting, and the beautiful script, the only other comment which can really be said about this film is that at times it feels slightly too dark and dreary. With aspects of the film being set at night, we experience certain parts in a gloomy location where the emotions of the actors are limited by the shadows. At times this film really feels perhaps too low budget.
All in all, this version of "An Ideal Husband" is a nice way to introduce people to some of Wilde's less well known work. Whilst the play is in general inferior to "The Importance Of Being Earnest", that doesn't stop it from being a joy to watch. Less well known than the following years production, and probably done with less of a budget, this performance is still worthy of a place in someone's Oscar Wilde collection. Witty and stylish, if slightly too badly lit, this is a clever performance of another Wilde masterpiece.