Is An Ideal Husband Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, An Ideal Husband is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 97 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
An Ideal Husband Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1999, An Ideal Husband emerges as a significant entry in the Drama, Comedy, Romance domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Sir Robert Chiltern is a successful government minister, well-off and with a loving wife. Unlike standard genre fare, An Ideal Husband attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and An Ideal Husband features a noteworthy lineup led by Cate Blanchett . Supported by the likes of Minnie Driver and Rupert Everett , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of An Ideal Husband (1999) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.5/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
An Ideal Husband Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: An Ideal Husband is a Drama, Comedy, Romance film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
An Ideal Husband Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: An Ideal Husband concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of An Ideal Husband reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch An Ideal Husband?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
An Ideal Husband Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $14.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $18.5M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
An Ideal Husband Budget
The estimated production budget for An Ideal Husband is $14.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of An Ideal Husband
- Cate Blanchett – Lady Gertrude Chiltern
- Minnie Driver – Miss Mabel Chiltern
- Rupert Everett – Lord Arthur Goring
- Julianne Moore – Mrs. Laura Cheveley
- Jeremy Northam – Sir Robert Chiltern
Top Highlights
Cate BlanchettLady Gertrude Chiltern
Minnie DriverMiss Mabel Chiltern
Rupert EverettLord Arthur Goring
Julianne MooreMrs. Laura Cheveley
Jeremy NorthamSir Robert Chiltern
Peter VaughanPhipps
Ben PullenTommy Trafford
Marsha FitzalanCountess
Lindsay DuncanLady Markby
John WoodLord Caversham
Where to Watch An Ideal Husband Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
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Apple TVGoogle Play MoviesAmazon VideoParents Guide & Age Rating
An Ideal Husband is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.5/10, and global collection metrics, An Ideal Husband stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1999 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is An Ideal Husband movie hit or flop?
An Ideal Husband has received mixed reviews with a 6.5/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is An Ideal Husband worth watching?
An Ideal Husband is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama, Comedy, Romance movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch An Ideal Husband online?
An Ideal Husband is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can also check for it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for An Ideal Husband
"Sir Robert Chiltern" (Jeremy Northam) is a British cabinet minister with a secret! He is determined that it remain exactly that - from his wife (Cate Blanchett) and from his political masters. Perhaps not too shrewdly, he turns to his rather underwhelming pal "Lord Goring" (Rupert Everett) whom he knows is well acquainted with his new found nemesis "Mrs. Cheveley" (Julianne Moore). With a parliamentary debate fast looming, and "Sir Robert" - in his role as a junior minister having a crucial role in a substantial government investment in Argentina - having to endorse or not, he finds himself in quite a quandary. Meantime, of course, "Goring" must try to help his friend whilst dealing with issues of his own with a disapproving father (John Wood) and poor old "Mabel" (Minnie Driver). What ensues here now is a lovely piece of Oscar Wilde satire that shines a light on a flawed political establishment with which he was probably quite well acquainted, and in which Rupert Everett shines. Though featuring only sparingly, he deftly portrays this outwardly lazy and spoilt gent with quite an engaging skill as we discover he is nowhere near as much of the hapless rake as he would have folks believe. His night of the visitors - when he must jig from room to room adopting a differing persona each time is really quite good fun to watch - and quite plausible too. The problem here is the rest of the ensemble. It's one of these sum of the parts scenarios. The big names are there, but the characters aren't. Moore really doesn't exude the Machiavellian nastiness I wanted from her and there's only so many times I can watch Blanchett do that thing with her eyes that is meant to suggest a myriad of emotions. Northam was only ever really adequate and here he fares no better, despite having a strong character to work with. I still think Wilde works best on the stage - there's a spontaneity there that makes his works sing. Here, it really only sort of murmurs with the odd potent spluttering of humour now and again. Looks splendid, though.
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