A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)

Date of original theatrical release: 2002

Details:

Rupert Everett

Colin Firth

Frances O'Connor

Reese Witherspoon

Dame Judi Dench

Tom Wilkinson

Anna Massey

Playwright: Oscar Wilde

Screenplay and directed by: Oliver Parker

Score: +

The Review: A delightful romp through a familiar warhorse: a comedy of manners and the confusion of assumed identities. Taken from Oscar Wilde's play, the only disappointment is that it has not been captured complete and verbatim in the screen treatment. Alas, there are some few quotation gems missing, but the majority remain and those shine brightly.

Involves a fantastic ensemble cast of brilliant actors and actresses, mostly English but with at least one American interloper (Witherspoon). Everett and Firth are memorable as friends and erstwhile brothers, both of whom have rationale (none dare call it reason) to adopt a nom-de-amour of Earnest Worthing. Besides the humor and wit of the play itself, the cast seemed to enjoy their task -- it's clear there are grins and smirks just under the staid English reserve. To the extent, that is, that Wilde deserves reserve, which is seldom -- Lady Bracknell (Dench) and Miss Prism (Massey) are the most reserved, and even they break out in smiles at some point.

Fun, and over much too quickly.

7-Jan-03

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