The Importance of Being Earnest ***** (2002, Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Judi Dench, Reese Witherspoon, Frances O’Connor, Anna Massey, Tom Wilkinson, Edward Fox) – Classic Movie Review 1162

Writer-director Oliver Parker’s 2002 film follows up his 1999 success with another Oscar Wilde adaptation, An Ideal Husband. Parker’s film of The Importance of Being Earnest is a marvellous, hilarious, sumptuous and above all fresh version of Wilde’s greatest work, the classic high comedy of manners.

He again casts Rupert Everett, this time along with Colin Firth, and they are perfect casting as bachelors Algy and Jack, both using the same pseudonym of Ernest to capture a pair of girls’ hearts.

Judi Dench makes a six-course banquet of her role as Lady Bracknell, easily coming out from the shade Edith Evans’s famed stage and 1952 film performance. Reese Witherspoon (convincingly English) and Frances O’Connor are both delightfully flirtatious as Cecily Cardew and Gwendolyn Fairfax.

Anna Massey and Tom Wilkinson are again inspired as Miss Prism and Canon Chasuble, while Edward Fox is a joy in his few moments as the butler Lane. Dench’s daughter Finty Williams plays her character’s younger self.

It’s hard to imagine this being better staged on film in 2002 than it is here.

It’s the third time Dench has portrayed Lady Bracknell, after the 1982 National Theatre revival and a 1995 BBC Radio 4 adaptation.

West Wycombe Park stands in as Jack’s home in the country.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Film Review 1162

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