The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)

Featured Audience Ratings

• KJ P

  
  This adaptation of the classic play is a very nice tribute, keeping the dialogue and characters, very close to home. What I must comment on, is that the settings and outdoor scenes felt a little understudied. There is a particular scene that should have taken place in the living room,… More
  This adaptation of the classic play is a very nice tribute, keeping the dialogue and characters, very close to home. What I must comment on, is that the settings and outdoor scenes felt a little understudied. There is a particular scene that should have taken place in the living room, but ended up displaying it outside as Cecily climbs down a ladder. I absolutely love the story of how two friends meet a love of their life, and are both disapproved by someone or another. It is such a funny idea to have both girls in love with the name earnest, while figuring out that both men calling themselves Earnest, do not even helm that proper name. The overall story is a brilliant little tale that I will probably refer to for a long time, and the play does portray the substance with perfection, but the few scenes of dumb humour, the set locations, the al bait too short running time, and odd take for direction, slightly degrades the effectiveness that the play brought upon. However, I highly enjoy this film, and I would have no problem recommending it to anyone, even if that haven't read the play!

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Cast: Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O'Connor, Reese Witherspoon, Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Anna Massey, Edward Fox, Patrick Godfrey, Charles Kay Director: Oliver Parker Summary: In this adaptation of Oscar Wilde's witty play about mistaken identities, Rupert… More
  Cast: Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O'Connor, Reese Witherspoon, Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Anna Massey, Edward Fox, Patrick Godfrey, Charles Kay Director: Oliver Parker Summary: In this adaptation of Oscar Wilde's witty play about mistaken identities, Rupert Everett and Colin Firth star as two proper gentlemen in 1890s London who use the same pseudonym with disastrous results. At a country estate, they fall in love with two ladies -- Cecily (Reese Witherspoon) and Gwendolyn (Frances O'Connor). But the hilarious confusion that ensues from their noms de guerre could sink their respective chances at romance. My Thoughts: "The movie was as silly and humorous as it was intended to be. The film is filled with a very talented cast of actor's from Colin Firth to Judi Dench. Loved the costumes and the scenery. It was an enjoyable film, but not something I would probably watch a second time."

• Cynthia S

  
  This movie has its moments, but despite an excellent cast the attempts to jazz up the content detracted rather than added to the enjoyment. The whole pre-Raphaelite fantasy thing creaked like a rusty door. The wit and charm of the original play still pokes through with Firth, Dench,… More
  This movie has its moments, but despite an excellent cast the attempts to jazz up the content detracted rather than added to the enjoyment. The whole pre-Raphaelite fantasy thing creaked like a rusty door. The wit and charm of the original play still pokes through with Firth, Dench, Wilkinson, etc. doing what they can, but these are almost obscured by this schoolboyish attempt to try a new angle.

• Robert C

  
  A good film, based on a great play. There are few who can match the writing skills of Oscar Wilde, especially when he is doing what he does best - social satire. The cast is impressive and (mostly) fun to watch. Though I found the music and Ms. Witherspoon is a bit off putting.… More
  A good film, based on a great play. There are few who can match the writing skills of Oscar Wilde, especially when he is doing what he does best - social satire. The cast is impressive and (mostly) fun to watch. Though I found the music and Ms. Witherspoon is a bit off putting. She seemed a bit out of place here. But all in all an enjoyable little romp.

• Candy R

  
  Great cast. Funny comedy about mistaken identities in 1890s England.

• Curtis L

  
  A casualty of being married had me watch this one. It fits the chick flick model, of being cute yet pointless. However, It wasn't painful to watch...but I kept wishing that zombies would pop out that Rupert Everett would fight or have sex with.

• Jennifer X

  
  i thought it was kind of cute, especially the part when they sang.

• Drew S

  
  The play is better. This has very little to offer, except for Miss Prism, who is amazing.

• Michael G

  
  I liked it, I just don't need to see it again.

• Luke B

  
  Lighthearted and enjoyable. Certainly wont go down as classic, but for a rainy Sunday afternoon it's perfection. MMMMMMMM

• Dannielle A

  
  Great humor! Just my cup of tea. I love Cecily's imagination and the antics of both pretend Earnests. The ending was a smashing surprise and a crescendo of wild dramatics.

• Juan C

  
  a witty, smart, hillarious and enjoyable peerless comedy with manners! also has to be one of colin firth's best performance! A+

• Deb S

  
  The theme of the play is, in true Wilde fashion, utilizes a clever play on words to make its point. The `earnest' of the title serves a double function, referring to both the importance of honesty and truthfulness in human relations and to the fact that two men are displaying… More
  The theme of the play is, in true Wilde fashion, utilizes a clever play on words to make its point. The `earnest' of the title serves a double function, referring to both the importance of honesty and truthfulness in human relations and to the fact that two men are displaying anything but those virtues when they commandeer the name Ernest as a pseudonym to advance their own selfish causes. Beautifully filmed in the lovely English countryside, this movie revolves around two wealthy and decadent men in London. Both lead secret lives: Jack Worthing pretends to be his wild brother Ernest when in the city, so that he can live the good life and keep his good reputation, while Algernon Moncrieff has a conveniently sick friend called Mr. Bunbury, whom he 'visits' when he wants to escape into the country. The two men have been pulling off their tangled webs quite nicely until their deception leads to complications in their romantic lives when they are discovered by Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), Jack's ward whom Algernon is pursuing, and Gwendolyn (Frances O'Connor), Algernon's cousin whom Jack adores. RUPERT EVERETT was the standout for me, excellent flair for light tongue-in-cheek comedy while REESE WITHERSPOON give a delightful performance playing a dreamy and head-in-the-clouds character (although she failed to hold a consistent English accent from one line to the next). COLIN FIRTH was his usual excellent self while Dame Judi Dench is great as she plays an absolute dragon as Gwendolyn's mother, Lady Bracknell.

• Mike T

  
  Solid but ultimately underwhelming adaptation. I love the play, so any decently directed adaptation is in my good books.

• d j

  
  I didnt even know about this movie until recently....I really enjoyed it:)

• Sarah B

  
  Great film, superb adaptation of my favourite play and incredibly faithful to Wilde and the original story: witty, fun and intelligent. Watch out for the song with Everett and Firth. Everyone is perfectly cast except O'Connor, sorry hun.

• Sunil J

  
  It's cute. I've seen this on stage and on film and I like them both.

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