Though sometimes indifferently directed by Oliver Parker, this adaptation of the popular Oscar Wilde play is frothy and enjoyable, with Rupert Everett perfectly cast as the bon mot-spouting likeness of Mr. Wilde. Everett seems born to deliver the writer's choicest quips and has an undeniable sex appeal that makes him "ideal" for the lead role. The relatively brief running time denotes a certain slightness (many of the meatier sections have been excised) and many of the more farcical elements appear strained, but the inventive casting more than compensates, with a tart Julianne Moore and a wonderfully wistful Cate Blanchett standing out in the rich supporting cast. Michael Howells' sumptuous production design is another strong point, effectively creating the 1890s with a healthy attention to detail. The film misses much of Wilde's more acrid sensibilities, but keeps his spirit most undeniably alive.