An Ideal Husband

Oliver Parker, 1999 (96 mins, Cert. PG)

Sluggishly paced and murkily lit to begin with, this builds into a triumphantly faithful adaptation of Wilde's brilliant jewel of a play. The cast all give excelent accounts of their roles (though it must be said that Minnie Driver makes an unlikely-looking Victorian lady) but special mention must go to Rupert Everett who is quite superb as Lord Goring (surely an idealised self portrait of the author as hero). The introduction of Wilde himself praising his (as yet unwritten) "The importance of being Earnest" makes an amusingly forgiveable anachronism but the depiction of Peers attending a debate in the House of Commons seems a more lementable error. Minor quibbles aside, the overall effect is convincing and the focus on the (excellently spoken) words allows the power of Wilde's masterly text to work its magic.  A joy to watch!.
(Steve Fagg)
 
Seen: Tuesday, 22nd June, 1999 (Harlow Playhouse)