The Importance Of Being Earnest
Miramax (2002)
Comedy, Drama, Romance
In Collection
#2101
7*
Seen ItYes
(03/21/2020 Home)
031398132610
IMDB   6.8
97 mins UK / English
DVD 
Rupert Everett Algy
Colin Firth Jack
Frances O'Connor Gwendolen
Reese Witherspoon Cecily
Judi Dench Lady Bracknell
Tom Wilkinson Dr. Chasuble
Anna Massey Miss Prism
Edward Fox Lane
Patrick Godfrey Merriman
Charles Kay Gribsby
Cyril Shaps Pew Opener
Marsha Fitzalan Dowager
Finty Williams Young Lady Bracknell
Guy Bensley Young Lord Bracknell
Christina Robert Duchess of Devonshire
Kiera Chaplin Girl in Gambling Club
Alexandra Kobi Girl in Gambling Club
Suzie Boyle Dancer
Kate Coyne Dancer
Bernadette Iglich Dancer
Polli Redston Dancer
Elaine Tyler-Hall Dancer
Gillian Winn Dancer
Holly Collins Dancer
Kit Dickinson Dancer
Director
Oliver Parker
Producer David Brown
Uri Fruchtmann
Writer Oliver Parker
Oscar Wilde
Cinematography Tony Pierce-Roberts


Two young gentlemen living in 1890s England use the same pseudonym ("Ernest") on the sly, which is fine until they both fall in love with women using that name, which leads to a comedy of mistaken identities...
Edition Details
Distributor Miramax
Screen Ratio 2.35:1
Audio Tracks Dolby Digital 5.1
No. of Discs/Tapes 1
Extras Audio commentary; Behind the sceens; Making of ....
Personal Details
Purchase Date 03/19/2020
Location Personal Library
Owner Deitz
Store Amazon
Purchase Price $9.98
Condition New
Order Order# 112-9762600-2124265
Links IMDB
TheMovieDb.org

Notes
"Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" is a comedy constructed out of thin air. It is not really about anything. There are two romances at the center, but no one much cares whether the lovers find happiness together. Their purpose is to make elegant farce out of mistaken identities, the class system, mannerisms, egos, rivalries, sexual warfare and verbal playfulness." [Roger Ebert]
"The last line ('I've now realized for the first time in my life the vital importance of being earnest') takes on an interesting spin if we know that "earnest" was a vernacular term for "gay" in 1895. Thus the closing line may subvert the entire play, although not to the surprise of anyone who has been paying attention." [Roger Ebert]

Richard and I revisited Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Ernest near the end of our first week COVID 16 social isolation. It somehow seemed appropriate. We first saw Importance as a stage production many, many years ago (neither of us can remember when or where, and Richard's famous ticket stub collection has failed us.) We both love it (I perhaps more than him). This production rewritten as a movie has most of the elegant and memorable lines of the original. But I miss the audience/actor interpay experience of real people saying the lines. Richard most likes Judi Dench as Lady Bracknell.

+3/3 Review: Roger Ebert (May 24, 2002)