Cate Blanchett and Julianne Moore, two actresses linked in our minds as the muses of Todd Haynes, have only shared scenes on screen in 1999’s An Ideal Husband. For this episode Murtada welcomes back Chris Feil, host of This Had Oscar Buzz podcast, to discuss the film, whether it retains the wit of its author Oscar Wilde and the performances of Cate, Julianne, Minnie Driver, Rupert Everett and Jeremy Northam.
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What is the film about?
From imdb: London 1895: Cabinet minister, Sir Chiltern, and bachelor, Lord Goring, are victims of scheming women. LOL imdb.
Based on the play by Oscar Wilde, adpted and directed by Oliver Parker. Starring Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, Minnie Driver, Rupert Everett and Jeremy Northam.
When did it come out?
June 1999.
Who does Cate play?
Lady Chiltren, an uncompromising woman married and in love with the ideal husband (or one of them).
Reception:
Box Office: Domestic = $18,542,974 Int’l = unavailable
Topics discussed:
- Does the film succeed in preserving Oscar Wilde’s wit from the stage play?
- Mostly a fun watch because of the actors.
- Writer and director Parker re-worked Oscar Wilde’s play by cutting Mrs Chevely’s (Moore) part and beefing up Mabel (Driver).
- Cate is an uncompromising good person while Julianne plays the mischievous meddler. They are in direct opposition to each other. Their scene together is a highligh and makes great use of pronouncing the word “detest”.
- Similar to The Talented Mr. Ripley, this film cast 5 actors showing lots of promise or just after their big break. Looking back it’s interesting to see what happened to their careers since. First lead for Everett post My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997), Driver post Oscar nom for Good Will Hunting (1997), Moore post Boogie Nights (1997), Jeremy Northam post Emma (1996) and Cate post Elizabeth (1998). Which begs the question; where is Jeremy Northam now?
- Cate plays someone who is completely and utterly in love with Northam that she made me re-examine my feelings about him. Why was he the only one of the 5 not to make the poster?
- Lindsay Duncan’s brief but delicious turn as Lady Markby, Mrs. Chevely’s hype machine.
- Could it have been on this set that someone said to Cate, “I’m the star of this film, not you,” an anecdote she shared last year? We speculate with no evidence.
- This is a podcast that celebrates actresses so this time we celebrate Julianne Moore; Chris’ favourite actor.
Wilde Witticisms:
- “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance”
- “When one pays a visit, it is for the purpose of wasting other people’s time and not one’s own”
- “It is not the perfect, but rather the imperfect who have need of love”
Film within context of Cate’s career:
- The first film released post Cate’s first Oscar nomination for Elizabeth (1998).
Film within the context of year it’s been released:
Festivals: Closing film of the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.
Awards: Golden Globe nominee best actor (Rupert Everett) and best actress (Julianne Moore). Bafta nominee for Adapted Screenplay, Costumes and Makeup.
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SUNDAYS WITH CATE 
I just listened to your podcast about the movie “An Ideal Husband.” . You mentioned that Cate said that another actress had said that they were the star of the movie not Cate. She said that it was when one of her very first movies she ever made. So I was thinking that it was “Paradise Road.” This was in the Instagram chat with Sarah Paulson. So my guess was either Francis McDormand, or Glenn Close. I love listening to your podcast. I cannot wait until you dive into “Carol.”
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