Director Oliver Parks returns to the front with “The Importance of Being Earnest,” having recently helmed “An Ideal Husband,” another Oscar Wilde play turned into a movie. On “Earnest,” he brings with him an excellent cast consisting of Rupert Everett (“Shakespeare in Love”), Colin Firth (“What a Girl Wants”), Reese Witherspoon (“Sweet Home Alabama”), Dame Judi Dench (“Iris”) and Frances O’Connor (“Windtalkers”). With the exception of Witherspoon, all are veterans of British period pieces and are in top form.
This witty comedy of manners incorporates Shakespearean elements of mistaken identities and light-hearted fun. Algernon (Everett) and his friend Jack (Firth) are young English gentlemen who create fictional personas for themselves to aid in the pursuit of a secret life of pleasure.
Jack is trying for the hand of the wealthy Gwendolyn (O’Connor), but she only knows him under his assumed identity, Earnest. Meanwhile, Algernon falls for the young and innocent Cicely (Witherspoon), a ward of Jack’s, who thinks Algernon is the same fictional Earnest.
Yes, it is slightly ridiculous, and, yes, it is completely predictable, but the obvious fun everyone is having along the way is hard to resist. Set to upbeat, piano-driven music, which works surprisingly well despite its contemporary nature, the plot unfolds over the course of a few summery days in a colorful and lavishly produced England.
All told, “The Importance of Being Earnest” is a smart, charming movie, and while the special features on the DVD are nothing to speak of, the movie itself is fun enough to justify renting.
Grade: A/B
