Details
Movie Description
In his second adaptation of an Oscar Wilde play, writer-director Oliver Parker (AN IDEAL HUSBAND) assembles a peerless cast to engage in this witty comedy of manners and mistaken identity. In 1890s London, rakish Algernon Montcrieff (Rupert Everett, who also starred in HUSBAND) runs into his friend, Jack Worthing (Colin Firth), who is in town to propose marriage to Algy's wildly romantic cousin, Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor). When returning a cigarette case to Jack, Algy reads the inscription, and discovers his friend has two secrets. Jack has created a devilish younger brother/alter ego called "Ernest" to hide his own misdeeds, and has a beautiful young ward named Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), whom he wants to keep clear of the roguish Algy. While Jack deals with the large obstacle standing between him and Gwendolen--namely, her mother, the imposing Lady Bracknell (a wonderfully imperious Judi Dench)--Algy devises a way to meet Cecily. The confusion and hilarity come to a peak when Algy arrives at Jack's country manor posing as Ernest in order to woo Cecily, and Gwendolen runs away to the country to be with Jack--whom she knows as Ernest. The stellar cast and Wilde's clever words make for genuine entertainment.
Film Notes
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35:1
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Oliver Parker - Director
Making-of - 1. THE MAKING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
Featurette
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus
Theatrical release: May 22, 2002 (NY/LA)
May 31, 2002 (EXPANDS)
Industry Reviews
"...[Dench's] gift for constructively dominating a scene can't be overpraised..."
Film Comment - Sarah Kerr (05/01/2002)
"...Wilde's wit breaks through, and the lavish sets and costumes beguile the eye..."
Movieline - Stephen Farber (06/01/2002)
"...Everett, whose scenes with Firth are a droll delight, nails every sly laugh. And Witherspoon adds her own legally blond American sparkle to this British party..."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (06/06/2002)
"...The entire cast is enjoyable....There are some glorious sets and costumes..."
Los Angeles Times - Kevin Thomas (05/22/2002)
"...[The cast] is a dream assemblage....[Witherspoon's] beauty, poise and insouciance make her the center of attention in every scene she's in..."
Box Office - Christine James (06/01/2002)
"...[A] witty, stylish adaptation of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (07/28/2002)
"...The casting and performances do enjoyable justice to the text....Consistently entertaining..."
Sight and Sound - Ben Walters (09/01/2002)
"...Fitting comfortably with the otherwise Brit cast, Witherspoon instantly flashes her charm..."
Variety - Bonnie Koehler (05/20/2002)
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