Copyright mirror
A celebrated Oscar Wilde adaptation featuring some of Hollywood's finest performers is now streaming on BBC iPlayer . Drawing from the 1895 theatrical work, An Ideal Husband hit cinemas in 1999. The praised costume drama was subsequently chosen as the closing picture for that year's Cannes Film Festival. The ensemble features double Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett, Rupert Everett, Julianne Moore, Minnie Driver, Peter Vaughan, Jeremy Northam, and John Wood. Director Oliver Parker previously brought Shakespeare's Othello and Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest to the big screen, reports the Express . Now streaming on BBC iPlayer, An Ideal Husband follows the tale of an esteemed and accomplished government minister, Sir Robert Chiltern, who maintains a devoted marriage with his adoring spouse. His companion, Lord Arthur Goring, is recognised as an infamous ladies' man leading the quintessential single lifestyle filled with empty romantic pursuits, numerous secret liaisons, and casual dalliances. Yet when their former associate, Laura Cheveley, descends upon London determined to cause chaos - the gentlemen's authentic characters are ultimately exposed as their destinies become entangled. Boasting an 85 per cent critics' approval rating on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, An Ideal Husband garnered predominantly favourable responses from critics. One said: "The exquisite teamwork and byplay make the film such a delight to watch." One viewer praised the cast, saying: "All the other performances - from Cate Blanchett, Minnie Driver, Julianne Moore, John Wood and Peter Vaughan - are first rate." Another fan wrote: "Quality comedy with a sprinkling of romance, skilfully assembled by a director with a clear feel for the material. Performances are universally great and the dialogue, of course, is superb." A critic complimented Parker's direction, saying: "Smooth-flowing direction, a shrewdly pruned script and a top-flight ensemble cast that visibly relishes both the dialogue and one another's performances make this a tony item for upscale, mature audiences." Another reviewer was left "thoroughly entertained", saying: "The film moves from one scene of deliciously subtle humour to another. When you're not laughing out loud, you'll be grinning from ear to ear." Audience reviews echoed these sentiments, with one viewer noting: "A delightful Oscar Wilde story with an all-star cast doing great work in a beautifully evoked period setting: that is a recipe for a delightful romantic comedy." Another viewer pointed out that while An Ideal Husband may not be as famous as Oscar Wilde's other play - The Importance of Being Earnest - it was "actually a much more thought-provoking Oscar Wilde play moved to the big screen". They continued: "At times uproariously funny and yet often thought-provoking and ultra-subtle. A truly great period piece." Another viewer's review of the film says: "A well-acted, sassy romantic comedy set in the appropriate timeline. The smart script has plenty of comedic twists and turns for everyone to enjoy." An Ideal Husband is ready to stream on BBC iPlayer.
