This is a predictable rendering of one of Oscar Wilde's fine plays. Amazing cast, mixing and matching between screen "favourites" like Cate Blanchett (to whom I have an unswerving aversion), Minnie Driver (much better) and Julianne Moore, London stage supremos such as Lindsay Duncan, Simon Russell Beale and John Wood, plus "bit-of-both-niks" such as Rupert Everett and Jeremy Northam.
Of course the acting is good (apart from the ever O.T.T. Blanchett), the costumes and sets delighted my old mum etc.etc.
However, this lacks the spark that can be achieved with Wilde - this is Wilde the period piece, the costume drama, rather than Wilde the "my goodness this was written 100 years ago yet still seems pertinent today". Which is a pity. the Argentinian Canal scam within the plot is a 19th century Enron.
It all adds up to 90 minutes of family entertainment that fails to do justice to its fine cast and the play upon which the film is based.
Of course the acting is good (apart from the ever O.T.T. Blanchett), the costumes and sets delighted my old mum etc.etc.
However, this lacks the spark that can be achieved with Wilde - this is Wilde the period piece, the costume drama, rather than Wilde the "my goodness this was written 100 years ago yet still seems pertinent today". Which is a pity. the Argentinian Canal scam within the plot is a 19th century Enron.
It all adds up to 90 minutes of family entertainment that fails to do justice to its fine cast and the play upon which the film is based.