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

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rupert Everett	...	Algy
Colin Firth	...	Jack
Frances O'Connor	...	Gwendolen
Reese Witherspoon	...	Cecily
Judi Dench	...	Lady Bracknell
Tom Wilkinson	...	Dr. Chasuble
Anna Massey	...	Miss Prism
Edward Fox	...	Lane
Patrick Godfrey	...	Merriman
Charles Kay	...	Gribsby
Cyril Shaps	...	Pew Opener
Marsha Fitzalan	...	Dowager
Finty Williams	...	Young Lady 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:

comedy of manners | period drama | false identity | brother | love | 

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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:

21 June 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ernst sein ist alles

Filming Locations:

Bluebell Railway, West Sussex, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$500,447, 27 May 2002

Gross USA:

$8,384,929

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$18,009,625

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax, 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

Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, and Anna Massey appeared in Another Country (1984), also filmed in West Wycombe Park.

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Goofs

When Gwendolyn holds a match to light Cecily's cigarette, the cigarette is lit already. Also, Gwendolyn's match flame does not come close enough to the end of Cecily's cigarette to light it.

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Quotes

Lady Bracknell: I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delecate, exotic fruit. Touch it, and the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did it would prove a serious threat to the upper classes, and probably lead ot acts of violence in Grosvenor Square.

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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 Jak je dulezité míti Filipa (1979)

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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

A treat indeed!

It is a rare treat when you go to the movies expecting not very much but walking away with so much more! After reading the reviews here as well as some professional reviews, I almost decided to pass this one by and what a pity it would have been. Sounds like my unfamiliarity with Wilde's play and the previous version of this movie was to my advantage. After all I could view this movie based on its own merits without any other comparisons getting in the way. What a glorious summer treat and a wonderfully fun vehicle to discover Oscar Wilde's hilarious play and for that matter Wilde in general. Couldn't have asked for a better audience to watch this with here in the South. They were enthusiastic, obviously familiar with Wilde, remained for the credits, and clapped at the end. Can't remember the last time that happened,can you? Again, what a lovely surprise this movie was with absolutely marvelous chemistry between Mr. Firth and Mr. Everett, a sweet supporting cast, not to mention the beautiful production values. After seeing the movie, I almost immediately hunted for the text of the play and read it straight through.