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This adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s play brings in color and
a light air to the characters and environment. It’s often
silly, but it seems to bring in a playful, good-humored atmosphere
to the film. Add this to the non-stop stream of witticisms and
The Importance of Being Earnest becomes a fun watch.
The whole plot of the film is simple but can quickly become confusing
if you haven’t been paying attention. Jack (Colin Firth)
lives in the country, but pretends to visit a brother named Earnest
in the city. When in the city, he calls himself Earnest and wishes
to marry Gwendolyn (Frances O’Connor) against the wishes
of her mother, Lady Bracknell (Judy Dench). When Jack’s
friend Algy (Rupert Everett), Lady Bracknell’s nephew, discovers
that Jack provides for a young girl in the country he goes out
there under the guise of being Jack’s brother Earnest. Algy
soon finds Cecily (Reece Witherspoon) and they fall in love. Jack
then returns to his country home and Gwendolyn comes running after
him. Soon, both the girls have discovered their Earnest’s
are not as earnest as they thought they were and the boys have
to get their girls back.
The sets and scenery are fun and the actors, who do fine for the
most part, seem to be having fun too. A handful of the lines feel
a bit forced, like the director is trying to get something from
them that isn’t there, but for the most part it flows smoothly.
The best part of Earnest is the constant humor, whether subtle
or in your face – and there’s a lot of both. Wilde’s
play is witty and clever and director Oliver Parker’s camp
succeeds in enriching the experience.
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