BBB.5
(out of 5)
A cast that is obviously having a great time is the real reason to watch this sumptuous adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s popular play. Oliver Smith’s screenplay, which opens up the original and tries to give it more breathing room, doesn’t always succeed, but the proceedings have so much vitality and class that you can’t help but enjoy yourself when watching it. Rupert Everett is a thirtysomething bachelor who avoids the attentions of young Minnie Driver because he’s enjoying single life too much. His best friend Jeremy Northam is happily married to Cate Blanchett in a relationship that involves simultaneous worship on both their parts. In comes conniving Julianne Moore (a devilishly fun performance if ever she gave one) who blackmails Northam with a previous indiscretion in order to force him to use his government powers in favour of a canal investment scheme she has sunk most of her money into. Should Northam accept the offer and avoid a scandal? Will his marriage hold strong if he turns out not to be the ideal his wife holds him up to be? Let’s pay attention to Rupert and Minnie while we find out! Transition between storylines isn’t comfortable enough, but the period settings and plush costumes are too fantastic to let this take a real hit for any critical reasons. Everett is fabulously debonair, and John Wood as his father couldn’t be funnier.
Arts Council of England, Canal+, Fragile Films, Icon Entertainment International, Icon Productions, Miramax, Pathé Pictures International
United Kingdom/USA, 1999
Directed by Oliver Parker
Screenplay by Oliver Parker, based on the play by Oscar Wilde
Cinematography by David Johnson
Produced by Bruce Davey, Uri Fruchtmann, Barnaby Thompson
Music by Charlie Mole
Production Design by Michael Howells
Costume Design by Caroline Harris
Film Editing by Guy Bensley
