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Light House Shines looks at AN IDEAL HUSBAND
Hey folks Harry here, and I'm gonna present Light House Shines, who seems to be able to get into just about everything! But here... Well this is a film that's gonna be opening today in selected theaters, so read up... it might be a film you want to see tonight...
An Ideal Husband Review:
Unfortunately not everyone will be able to fully appreciate the subtle
charm, humor and wit of An Ideal Husband. Simply because the film
is a period piece, and sadly most Americans really do not like such films.
Even less so if they happen to revolve around proper British high
society, as that is considered to be a mere step above a film with
subtitles for the majority of people. Which truly is a shame, for An
Ideal Husband is actually one of Oscar Wilde's more endearing plays
adapted to film. If not the more watchable, for some of his previous work
really is not that great. But that matter's not in this case, since this
film adaptation was actually very well done and very pleasing to the eye.
Particularly for me as I have always had a semi perverse thing for
the Victorian era, although I think I may have the precise time frame of
this film slightly off. Still, everything in the film from the clothing,
the backgrounds, the lighting and actors, were simply breathtaking. Though
that is more in an aesthetic sense, rather than a literal one.
Since An Ideal Husband is not a perfect film per se, just a very
lush and beautiful one. Specifically in terms of the tremendously talented
cast, like the always lovely Julianne Moore and Rupert Everett (
Who will always be a sexy bastard regardless of his sexuality). Playing a
pair of former lovers and apparent would be con artists, reunited years
later by chance. When Julianne's character, Mrs. Laura Cheveley attempts
to blackmail Sir Robert Chiltern (Jeremy Northam) into supporting a
fraudulent development bill that would make her millions. Yet
surreptitiously bankrupt and politically destroy all the respective
investors and supporters behind the bill (Some sort of aqua duct scam). A
fiendishly evil ploy Everett/Lord Arthur Goring is determined to
avert no matter the cost, due to his being best friends with Sir Robert
Chiltern. As well as a previous romantic prospect of his current wife,
Lady Gertrud Chiltern, amicably played by an always different looking Cate
Blanchett.
Various little plot details which play a heavy part in the confusion that
eventually ensues, when Mrs. Cheveley becomes dissatisfied with only
blackmailing Sir Chiltern. And wholeheartedly decides to go after her
former lover as well, suggesting that she would leave Sir Chiltern alone
if only Lord Goring would agree to marry her. A prospect that the life
long bachelor Goring, finds far less than ideal. Simply
because he has slowly come to realize, despite all his attempts to the
contrary. That he has hopelessly fallen in love with Mebel Chiltern, the
younger cousin of Lady Gertrud Chiltern. Played by fame obsessed and
celebrity boyfriend stalker Minnie Driver, who surprised me at being so
darn likable throughout the film (You really should read about some of the
pathetic things she has done to stay in the lime light, especially while
still dating Matt Damon).
The shear bulk of which makes for a highly entertaining, if not somewhat
convoluted film going experience. For this film was truly unique compared
to most mainstream films out nowadays, which I personally found very
refreshing. More so considering that this film actually had a character
driven plot, and some really witty dialogue intermixed. Particularly
between Rupert's character and that of his disapproving father, both of
whom were responsible for some of the film's brighter moments. Plus it is
always a pleasure to see the super talented Julianne Moore in anything,
though I really enjoyed her role in this film. As an evil manipulative
vixen, by far one of my favorite performances to date. Just one of the
many reasons why I personally believe this marvelous film, is well worth
the time and effort to seek it out. Especially since it will sadly only
open in limited release, as well as play mainly in art house theatres
across the U.S. So go out and see it while you can, otherwise you will
have to wait and see it on video. As such films as this one should really
be seen on the big screen, in all their glory.
As always, if you have any questions or comments about anything I have
just said or written about. Please feel to email me at
lighthouseshines@hotmail.com.
Especially if you have a complaint, as many of you seemingly do! And
someone will gladly get back to you, thanks!
Sincerely,
Light House Shines
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I hope this film does reach a wider audience because forget about the "period", costumes blah it's just very funny & full of gorgeous people, who luckily for us can not only act but fit their roles to a tee..
Oscar knew a good quip when he wrote one & this film is full of them, you'll go back to see it just to memorise the lines!
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I got more out of the first talkback guy's 2 sentences about the movie than that entire review. It's a good thing, too, because I was on the verge of not wanting to see it because Light House Shine's writing made my eyes bleed so bad. Oscar Wilde was a genius (despite the boy-diddling), and Minnie Driver is a piece.
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I have. Absolutely no idea. What it was I just. Read.
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>>An Ideal Husband is actually one of Oscar Wilde's more endearing plays adapted to film. If not the more watchable, for some of his previous work really is not that great.<<
What is someone with absolutely no talent at -- I was going to say writing, but hell, GRAMMAR -- saying that some of Oscar Wilde's work is "not that great"? He's universally acknowledged as a genuinely canonical thinker and writer. I'm sure it was a tough choice for you, LHS -- should I take the Blockbuster job, or go to Community College? -- but I think you made the wrong decision. Your review is incomprehensible!
csl -
I must say, mr/ms Shines I had a very difficult time reading your review. I realize that you don't spend your time writing reviews for a living and therefore don't worry too much about grammer. However, " Particularly between Rupert's character and that of his disapproving father, both of whom were responsible for some of the film's brighter moments" Where is the verb in this sentence? "Were" is the only one I see. Verbs are important. Verbs describe actions. It's not a good idea to begin a sentence without one. "Particularly between Rupert's character and that of his disapproving father," has no verb. I apologize if I make you feel bad. I appreciate that you take the time to write and then send in your scoops. Please try to make them a little more coherent. Maybe you could have a friend proof read? Thanks anyway for the scoop.
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I really think that english is LHS's second language... so I commend you, Light House, for at least trying. There are, however, some essentials that you really should grasp before writing for the English-speaking/reading public. See the post regarding verbs above. Now I know that you're not concerned with grammar, you just want to tell us about these films you get into, but, and I am trying to be constructive here, I really could not understand your review. Actually, I could understand it... but I had to reread almost every sentence and combination of sentence frags to understand you. Please tighten it up next time. -- Meaner
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Hey -Z-, stop beating up on Mr Shine's grammar when your spelling could do with a quick look-see. I recomend getting out of your glass house without resorting to throwing stones. Still its nice to see the AICN community hold basic things like readability, sentence structure and verbs so close to their heart. I guess what they say is true, its all in the writing.
Gratuitous insults aside, I've seen An Ideal Husband, and I've got to say its no great shakes. The source material is cut quite badly, removing most of the plays early scenes between Driver and Everett and therefore we get a situation where the couple get together without any obvious development. The acting is great, Driver is under-used but makes you realise why we liked her in the first place (the freckles?). And Jeremy Northam plays his role really well (by the way - what do people think of Northam in The Misadventures Of Margaret. Great movie, lousy ending.)
My major problem is I really don't think they should be making a film of this play when there are so many films out there to make. Why adapt? (Why adapt badly as well?) Wilde - by the very nature of his work - is always going to feel stagey, no matter how good your set design is. Perhaps its because I'm lucky enough to live in a city where I can see fifty plays at any one time (though admittedly that would be a long sitting) but movies is movies and plays is plays. Never the twain eh? I would have liked to have seen these five great actors in something original, and nick off and see Wilde where he's meant to be seen - the theatre. -
I kin be pick at tymes; but you guys. Take the cake. I musta gree with the pyrson whom said that englisch must be LHS secound languige. But. He/she. Lets us in on some pics we May not see to get for a while so eeze up a touch! It's not lik this is real journeylizm!
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Do not eject aqueous globules from thine aqua ducts, LHS - AICN partakers are obviously missing the subtleties of your Joycean prose. They can't understand that by turning the English tongue back four centuries, you've really stumbled onto how we'll all be speaking in about an eighth of that time reversed. The love child. Of education gone rotten and Jar Jar's bleating pidgin. Me's a think many of Oscar's frilly, frumpy wordwords. Bombad. Oh, and Harry is Thomas Pynchon in Mike Myers's fatsuit.
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...where LHS is from, but did anyone else take offense to the generalization that Americans don't like period pieces? I loved WEDDING SINGER! But seriously, LHS lost me after that intro, it sounded to me like it was some high falutin' punk who thinks America is all trailer trash...
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I am just getting home from a screening of the film tonight. Let it be said that I don't *think* I have ever fallen asleep during a film, but I came *very* close tonight. Man, this pup is a chick flick in the worst way -- and I LOVE good chick flicks. This is a real milquetoast snooze fest. If Oscar Wilde were alive, you'd have to tie him down to stop him from comitting screenwritercide. Here's what you learn from this film. 1) You can underestimate the abomination of a really rotten score that tries to push your emotions on top of that can *really* mess up what might have otherwise worked without the score. 2) Ruper Everett has enough charm to *almost* save what was unsavable. 3) Cate Blanchett is God's gift to acting who *can* save about anything. 4) Minnie driver plays a ditz *very* poorly. Smart people generally have a *VERY* tough time playing the less intelligent, and Minnie is a prime example. This is the worst performance I've ever seen from her, ever, and I love her work (having seen, e.g., Tarzan last night) 5) The only thing that has a higher tally than the number of Julianne Moore's freckles shoved in your face in amazing closeup is the tally of times you will think to yourself ... "Ya know, this woman is probably just too much of a sweetheart in real life to *ever* play a credible villainess. //////////////// In all fairness, the film picked up slightly in the third act (from D.O.A. to mere coma), and stopped trying sooooooo hard to manipulate the audience falsely. But man, by then, if you're awake, you're a real tropper. This is a period piece made not for the sake of telling an interesting story, but for the sake of running around in costume for no particular reason. This is a screenplay that is written cutesy and clever for the sake of being cutesy and clever. This is a director who has *no* trust that the audience has ANY feeling or any brains, so tries to shove every emotion down the collective audiences throat. /////// If you wanna see a case study on how to do the most snooze-inducing period piece chick flick possible, see this film. Otherwise, bless you're lucky stars that it's limited release will allow films that either entertain or have some purpose behind them to fill the screens instead.
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Haven't read a single one of LHS's reviews since the first couple. As they gave me headaches for a week. Though I love reading the talkbacks to his reviews. As they get funnier and funnier every time. As everyone attempts to imitate and parody his horribly mangled grammar. As i have poorly attempted to do hear. Though even I could not be as incomprehensible as LHS, and i'm TRYING to be.
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They don't have to just deal with Victorian or Georgian England and have aristocrats sitting around ornate tables drinking tea. Isn't the modern era a "period?" Or do you just consider it an age?
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