Based on Wilde’s stage play, the film is set in late 1890s England and focuses on Lord Arthur Goring (Rupert Everett, My Best Friend’s Wedding). Goring is a wealthy bachelor, in love with himself much more than any of his female conquests. His world is shaken up a bit when Laura Cheveley (Julianne Moore, Cookie’s Fortune) comes to town and throws a wrench into the tightly knit upper crust of London.

Cheveley’s visitation coincides with the important vote on an Argentine canal scheme. Her goal is to blackmail key swing vote Sir Robert Chiltern (Jeremy Northam, The Winslow Boy) and protect her sizeable investment. Although Chiltern is now happily married to Lady Gertrud (Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth), his past indiscretions are known to Cheveley and have him on the ropes.

Chiltern also has a sister named Mabel (Minnie Driver, Good Will Hunting) that has been chasing after Goring for years. Only a fool couldn’t see that these two would hook up by the end of the film. Their coupling is temporarily delayed by Cheveley’s Cheshire-cat smile and evil extortion plans, which are strangely wrapped up in about 60 minutes when she disappears, tail between her legs. The film then takes another 30 minutes to sew up all of the loose ends. This is far too long an ending for a film this short and is surely the sign of a troubled filming and editing room cover-up.

Thankfully it is this short. Goring’s lecherous, almost-under-his-breath ramblings grow tiresome after Cheveley’s departure, but his bickering with Papa Goring does get better as the film progresses. Northam’s Chiltern is a slightly whipped (read: married) version of his superior performance as Robert Morton in The Winslow Boy. Husband looks great due to the production and costume design that brought us Emma and The Governess, and was lushly lensed by David Johnson (Hilary & Jackie).

1:36 – for adult situations