Who said period pieces have to be stuffy? Director Oliver Parker equips a talented and charming ensemble cast with the eviscerating words of Oscar Wilde. Rupert Everett owns the role Arthur Goring, a self-centered playboy who runs from responsibility and commitment, but who still manages to be a loyal friend. Julianne Moore is delightful as the nefarious Mrs. Cheveley, whose blackmailing threatens to upset the lives of Goring and his friends. Moore delivers some of the best lines, including, “I don’t mind bad husbands. I’ve had two. They amuse me immensely.” My favorite performance is Minnie Driver’s. Where was her Oscar nomination? Seriously — she’s brilliant here, completely there, in the moment, relishing every moment of it, making the material as contemporary and accessible as anyone could ever hope to. My favorite scene is the one in which Goring tells her character to go to bed. Driver turns a defiant response into comedic gold. She’s also terrific when she refers to Moore’s character as “that Cheesely woman.” The remarkable cast also includes beautiful Cate Blanchett and handsome Jeremy Northam. Light, witty, wicked, and heartwarming — my fawning over it is probably enough to make you want to gag, but trust me. An Ideal Husband is cinematic whipped cream.