The Importance of Being Earnest (1952)
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93% of critics liked it
(15 reviews) -
47% want to see it
(2,527 ratings)
Anthony Asquith's adaptation of Oscar Wilde's witty play of mistaken identities stars Michael Redgrave as rich bachelor Jack Worthing. Jack's friend is Algernon Moncrieft (Michael Denison), a poor bloke living on credit. Jack refers mysteriously to Algernon about his country retreat,… More Anthony Asquith's adaptation of Oscar Wilde's witty play of mistaken identities stars Michael Redgrave as rich bachelor Jack Worthing. Jack's friend is Algernon Moncrieft (Michael Denison), a poor bloke living on credit. Jack refers mysteriously to Algernon about his country retreat, which drives Algernon to distraction, trying to figure out where Jack goes on the weekends. Jack is also in love with Algernon's attractive cousin Gwendolen (Joan Greenwood). He also has a ward, Cecily Cardew (Dorothy Tutin), who lives at the country estate and studies with local spinster Miss Prism (Margaret Rutherford). When Algernon learns of Cecily, he arrives at the country home claiming to be Jack's brother Earnest, knowing Jack had previously regaled Cecily with tales of having to bail the fictitious Earnest out of scrapes so he could sneak out to the city. Having set her eyes on "Earnest" in the flesh after having heard countless tales of his intrigues, Cecily immediately falls in love with Earnest. Meanwhile, Jack comes back to the country dressed in black, determined to announce to the group the demise of the fictional Earnest. As a result, Jack is stupefied when he sees Earnest standing in front of him. Meanwhile, Algernon's aunt, Lady Bracknell (Edith Evans) refuses to grant permission for Jack and Gwendolen's engagement. However, when Lady Bracknell finds out that Algernon is in love with Cecily, she asks Jack for his blessing on their marriage. Of course, Jack won't give his blessing until Lady Bracknell gives her blessing to his proposed marriage to Gwendolen. All is at a standstill until Lady Bracknell recognizes Miss Prism as a governess from the past who holds secrets concerning both Jack and Algernon. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- Anthony Asquith
- Genres
- Classics, Comedy
PG,
Critic Reviews
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Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
For an audience that takes pleasure in the all-too-rare art of faithful adaptations that vivify rather than embalming their sources [...] Asquith's conservative handling is just what the confirmed and secret Bunburyist ordered.
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Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
One is left to appreciate the zingers and spirited performances in this understandably enduring comedy of mistaken identities and romantic entanglements.
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Forrest Hartman, Reno Gazette-Journal
This is a fanciful mistaken-identity farce that cuts deeper than most because Wilde weaves class satire into the comical plot.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Civilized comedy has never been more civilized -- or as preposterously funny.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A very competent and enjoyable rendition of Oscar Wilde's most witty play from 1895.
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Cast
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Michael Redgrave
as Jack Worthing
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Edith Evans
as Lady Bracknell
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Michael Denison
as Algernon Moncrieff
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Dorothy Tutin
as Cecily Cardew
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Margaret Rutherford
as Miss Prism
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Miles Malleson
as Canon Chasuble
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Joan Greenwood
as Gwendolyn Fairfax
- Ivor Barnard
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Walter Hudd
as Lane
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Aubrey Mather
as Merriman
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Richard Wattis
as Seton
