This screen adaptation of the celebrated Oscar Wilde play stars Rupert Everett as Lord Arthur Goring, a playboy who becomes embroiled in a scandal, both personal and political, when his best friend Sir Robert Chiltern MP (Jeremy Northam) is blackmailed by the devious Laura Chevely (Julianne Moore). Whilst attempting to aid his friend, Arthur becomes socially entangled with both Mabel Chiltern (Minnie Driver) and Laura, the latter enticing him with a tempting wager. The subsequent misunderstandings cause farcical repercussions to be felt around their entire social circle.