Movie Review: The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)

The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
Starring: Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O'Connor, Reese Witherspoon, Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson,
Anna Massey, Edward Fox, Patrick Godfrey 

Director: Oliver Parker
Good Machine International, Miramax Films, Ealing Studios, Film Council, Newmarket Capital Group, Fragile Films, United Kingdom, USA, 2002.

This movie is based on a play by Oscar Wilde. Easy-going gentleman Algernon 'Algy' Moncrieff (Rupert Everett) is knee-deep in debts. Another gentleman John 'Jack' Worthing (Colin Firth), goes to city to take care of his brother's Ernest's messy finances.

Ernest and Algy partying

Algy gets to know Jack's real identity

Ernest is in reality Jack's alter ego that Jack uses when he wants to have fun. "Ernest" is in love with Algy's cousin Gwendolen Fairfax (Frances O'Connor) and plans to propose.

Ernest and Gwendolen

Gwendolen's mother Augusta Bracknell (Judi Dench) will cause a problem to Ernest's plans and also the fact that Jack is the guardian of pretty Cecily (Reese Witherspoon) living in the country. Algy gets to know Jack's real identity when Jack loses his cigarette case with engraving from Cecily. Algy has invented an invalid friend Bunbury whom he uses as an excuse to avoid attending unpleasant social events. 

Gwendolen's mother Lady Augusta Bracknell

Cecily is daydreaming

Gwendolen loves Ernest, and wants a man with such an earnest name. To find out Ernest's eligibility as suitor, Augusta interrogates Ernest, job interview style. Ernest's lack of relatives and vague origins gets him flunked. Jack decides to get rid of Ernest. Meanwhile, Algy wants to meet Cecily so he disguises himself as Ernest. He meets Cecily just before Jack declares that Ernest died in Paris. The new Ernest explains it as a funny joke. 

Ernest just died

Happy family reunion

Cecily dreams of knight Ernest

Cecily also has always dreamed about a man named Ernest. Then Ernest's debtors appear to get payment. To mess things further up, Gwendolen is coming to meet the old Ernest. Hilarious mix-up ensues. 

Cecily and Miss Prism

Jack and Algy singing a serenade

The ladies think about policy

The movie is fun to watch. Comedic costume movie is full of witty dialogue. As in the original play, the Victorian social norms are satirized. The appearances are more important than knowing what really happened. Other supporting characters are Cecily's chaste home teacher Miss Prism (Anna Massey) and reverend Dr. Chasuble (Tom Wilkinson) who have a secret romance. In the end also the absurd origins of Jack are revealed. There are some additions such as Gwendolen getting tattoo of Ernest's name.The cast does a nice job and music is happy jazz. 

Rating: Good