Cheap The Importance of Being Earnest (DVD) (Rupert Everett, Colin Firth) (Oliver Parker) Price

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Customer Reviews of The Importance of Being Earnest

That said, the story is still a funny one, and the actors do a nice job. Colin Firth (beauty-ful as always) is great as Jack a.k.a. Earnest, and is especially funny during a few different scenes where he becomes embarrassed about something or other. Frances O'Connor seemed very appealing as Gwendolen, although she didn't have a whole lot to do in this movie and I plan to watch her in "Mansfield Park".

Rupert Everett seemed a good choice for Algernon if a bit of a bland one. I think the same is true for Reese Witherspoon as Cecily, though kudos must be given to her for doing such a good British accent. Judi Dench is wonderful (as always) as Lady Bracknell. Anna Massey is a great Miss Prism and the same goes for Tom Wilkinson (who seems to appear in everything at some point or other!) as Dr. Chazzuble. (Apologies for the spelling - I haven't read the play in some time.)

To sum up: It's enjoyable if not fantastic, and if - like me - you're a Colin Firth fan, you'll enjoy it anyway.

Fun drawing room comedy of romance and mistaken identity
Starring Colin Firth and Rupert Everett as two young English gentleman who both use the make-believe name of Ernest instead of their real names and Frances O'Connor and Reese Witherspoon as their romantic partners, the film includes some wonderful outdoor cinematography of the English countryside. It is also a setting for outstanding performances by Judi Dench, cast as a upper class snob and Anna Massey, cast as a meek governess in love with the local minister.

With the exception of some silly fantasy sequences, the movie worked well inasmuch as it was well paced and pretty to look at. The story moved fast and there were some great one-liners that made fun of human nature. And some of the touches that other critics have abhorred, such as one of the women getting a tattoo and driving a car, didn't bother me at all. It just seemed to add to the hustle-bustle and farcical nature of the plot. I found myself intrigued and interested even though I didn't laugh out loud. I'm not one for comedies in particular, but because it's adapted from a classic, I think it's worth seeing. Lightly recommended.

a treat
I haven't seen the 1952 version of Earnest, but I must say that I love this one. I laughed the whole way through. Purists might say that the dialogue goes too slowly, that the acting was underdone, or that Reese Witherspoon was miscast. My opinion: the dialogue is, of course, brilliant. It's Oscar Wilde. It is also delivered wonderfully, with perfect expressions that make the witty lines even more funny. Attention is, at times, required to catch these little expressions, but they are what help make the film so great. Also: I loved the casting. I loved it the first time I saw the film. I appreciate the casting even more now that I've read the actual play--the actors portray the characters exceptionally well, with all the quirks and nuances that I gleaned from the book. The add-ins (like the knight in Cecily's daydreams) make the movie, in my opinion, even more delightful. It should be quirky, and, thank goodness, it is. I highly recommend this film--it is a very well-done, lighthearted story full of wit. I definitely enjoyed it.