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IMDbPro

The Importance of Being Earnest

  • 20022002
  • PGPG
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
24K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,697
1,982
The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
Home Video Trailer from Miramax
Play trailer1:37
1 Video
99+ Photos
ComedyDramaRomance
In 1890s London, two friends use the same pseudonym ("Ernest") for their on-the-sly activities. Hilarity ensues.In 1890s London, two friends use the same pseudonym ("Ernest") for their on-the-sly activities. Hilarity ensues.In 1890s London, two friends use the same pseudonym ("Ernest") for their on-the-sly activities. Hilarity ensues.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
24K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,697
1,982
    • Oliver Parker
    • Oscar Wilde(play "The Importance of Being Earnest")
    • Oliver Parker(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Rupert Everett
    • Colin Firth
    • Frances O'Connor
    • Oliver Parker
    • Oscar Wilde(play "The Importance of Being Earnest")
    • Oliver Parker(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Rupert Everett
    • Colin Firth
    • Frances O'Connor
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 159User reviews
    • 90Critic reviews
    • 60Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    The Importance of Being Ernest
    Trailer 1:37
    Watch The Importance of Being Ernest

    Photos122

    Rupert Everett and Reese Witherspoon in The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
    Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, Reese Witherspoon, and Frances O'Connor in The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
    Rupert Everett and Judi Dench in The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
    The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
    The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
    Colin Firth and Rupert Everett in The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
    The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
    The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
    The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
    The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
    The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
    The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Rupert Everett
    Rupert Everett
    • Algy
    Colin Firth
    Colin Firth
    • Jack
    Frances O'Connor
    Frances O'Connor
    • Gwendolen
    Reese Witherspoon
    Reese Witherspoon
    • Cecily
    Judi Dench
    Judi Dench
    • Lady Bracknell
    Tom Wilkinson
    Tom Wilkinson
    • Dr. Chasuble
    Anna Massey
    Anna Massey
    • Miss Prism
    Edward Fox
    Edward Fox
    • Lane
    Patrick Godfrey
    Patrick Godfrey
    • Merriman
    Charles Kay
    Charles Kay
    • Gribsby
    Cyril Shaps
    Cyril Shaps
    • Pew Opener
    Marsha Fitzalan
    Marsha Fitzalan
    • Dowager
    Finty Williams
    Finty Williams
    • Young Lady Bracknell
    Guy Bensley
    • Young Lord Bracknell
    Christina Robert
    • Duchess of Devonshire
    Kiera Chaplin
    Kiera Chaplin
    • Girl in Gambling Club
    Alexandra Kobi
    • Girl in Gambling Club
    Suzie Boyle
    • Dancer
      • Oliver Parker
      • Oscar Wilde(play "The Importance of Being Earnest")
      • Oliver Parker(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The business with "Ernest's" bill at the Savoy and the money collectors coming to Jack's country home is taken from a scene cut from the play prior to its publication.
    • Goofs
      Gwendolen is shown driving a car out to Jack's country house. However, later in dialog with Cecily taken from the original play, she mentions having taken the train out. Later, Lady Bracknell mentions them both returning by train, which would have left the car in the country.
    • Quotes

      Algy: Bunbury? He was quite *exploded*.

      Lady Bracknell: Exploded?

      Algy: [pretending sadness] Mm.

      Lady Bracknell: Was he the victim of some revolutionary outrage? I was not aware that Mr. Bunbury was interested in social legislation.

      Algy: My dear Aunt Augusta, I mean he was *found out*. The doctors found out that Bunbury could not live - that is what I mean - so Bunbury died.

      Lady Bracknell: He seems to have had great confidence in the opinion of his physicians.

    • Crazy credits
      After the funeral for Bunbury, Colin Firth's Earnest is seen getting a tattoo of "Gwendolyn" on his posterior
    • Connections
      Featured in Forever Ealing (2002)
    • 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 reviews159

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Well-acted
    I didn't like the new, added dialogue (Gwendolyn getting a tatoo, Lady Bracknell having been a musical hall dancer). However, the film is well-paced, has some very funny scenes (Algy and Jack's musical number, for example) and is well-acted. Frances O'Connor (Gwendolyn) and Rupert Everett (Algy) are wonderful, and Reese Witherspoon (Cecily) pulls off a passable English accent. Anna Massey and Edward Fox are superb as supporting characters Miss Prism and Lane the butler.
    helpful•2
    0
    • hughesgold
    • Jan 31, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 21, 2002 (United States)
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
      • English
      • German
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • West Wycombe Park, West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Miramax
      • Ealing Studios
      • UK Film Council
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 37 minutes
      • Dolby Digital

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