The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)

In 1890s London, two friends use the same pseudonym ("Ernest") for their on-the-sly activities. Hilarity ensues.

Director:

Oliver Parker

Writers:

Oscar Wilde (play), Oliver Parker (screenplay)

Stars:

Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O'Connor

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rupert Everett	...	Algernon 'Algy' Moncrieff
Colin Firth	...	John 'Jack' Worthing
Frances O'Connor	...	Gwendolen Fairfax
Reese Witherspoon	...	Cecily Cardew
Judi Dench	...	Lady Augusta Bracknell
Tom Wilkinson	...	Dr. Frederick Chasuble
Anna Massey	...	Miss Laetitia Prism
Edward Fox	...	Lane, Algy's Butler
Patrick Godfrey	...	Merriman
Charles Kay	...	Gribsby
Cyril Shaps	...	Pew Opener
Marsha Fitzalan	...	Dowager
Finty Williams	...	Young Augusta Bracknell
Guy Bensley	...	Young Lord Bracknell
Christina Robert	...	Duchess of Devonshire

Storyline

Two young gentlemen living in 1890's England use the same pseudonym ("Ernest") on the sly, which is fine until they both fall in love with women using that name, which leads to a comedy of mistaken identities...

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Plot Keywords:

brother | love | mistaken identity | train | garden | 

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Taglines:

Everybody Loves Ernest... But Nobody's Quite Sure Who He Really Is.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild sensuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

6 September 2002 (UK)

Also Known As:

Ernst sein ist alles

Filming Locations:

Bluebell Railway, West Sussex, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$181,591 (Germany) (13 September 2002)

Gross:

£3,059,026 (UK) (11 October 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax Films, Ealing Studios, Film Council

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The scenes where Rupert Everett slaps Colin Firth on his rear end and where Everett kisses Firth's cheek were ad libs. Director Oliver Parker thought Firth's stunned reaction was so humorous he decided to leave them in.

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Goofs

During Cecily and Gwendolyn's outdoor tea, Cecily cuts a large slice of cake that is served to Gwendolyn and placed on the corner of the tea table. After the cake is cut, the scene clearly cuts ahead to the end of the tea. In the time that elapsed during this part of the scene, a servant easily could have come by and taken the plate explaining why in subsequent shots with both Cecily and Gwendolyn and later, when Jack and Algernon take the ladies' seats at the tea table, the cake and its plate are missing.

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Quotes

Lady Bracknell: [walking in on his kneeling proposal] Mr. Worthing, sir, rise from this semi-recumbent posture, it is most indecorous!

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Crazy Credits

After the funeral for Bunbury, Colin Firth's Earnest is seen getting a tattoo of "Gwendolyn" on his posterior

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Connections

Version of The Importance of Being Earnest (1946)

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Soundtracks

"Lady Come Down"
Music written by Charlie Mole
Lyrics by Oscar Wilde
Performed by Colin Firth and Rupert Everett
Courtesy of Fragile Music Ltd.

User Reviews

Witty and fun

Films like this need to be more widely available. It was showing at one theater 45 miles from my house, but it was worth the drive to go and see it. The script was witty, and seemed to be fairly true to the Oscar Wilde play (at least a lot of the funniest lines were retained). What a great cast! Colin Firth and Rupert Evert were both wonderful as rogues. I loved the "fight" scene!! As did most of the others in the theater, as there was lots of laughter all around. Reese Witherspoon did a good job with her British accent, and she and Frances O'Connor were both a lot of fun to watch. Judi Dench was marvelous, as usual. I highly recommend this movie...it wasn't really deep or anything, just very funny!