Oliver Parker seems like to be interested in taking classic plays and turning them into an entertaining movie while keeping the flavor and trendy touch to the movie. In 1995 the screenwriter and director took Shakespeare's "Othello" and filmed it to a relationship-intensive two hour movie. Oliver parker can also be remembered by directing the Oscar Wilde’s “An ideal husband” play with politics, marriage and blackmailing and comedy blended well together.
Two young bachelors living in 1890's England have taken to twisting the truth in order to put some thrill in their lives. Jack Worthing (Colin Firth) has invented an imaginary brother, Ernest, who he uses as an excuse to leave his dull country life behind and visit the ravishing Gwendolen Fairfax (Frances O'Connor). When Jack proposes, Gwendolen’s unsympathetic mother, the conceited Lady Bracknell (Judi Dench) soon puts a damper on Jack’s advances by rejecting him as being not socially distinguished enough for her daughter.
Jack’s best-friend, the caddish Algernon Moncrieff (Rupert Everett) uses a similar fictitious name technique to evade his creditors and unwelcome social engagements, only in reverse, his imaginary friend named “Bunbury” who he uses to have adventure and some excitement in the country life. But soon both of their lies and pseudonym friends get out of the closet when Algy decides she will mention Earnest’s name when she will visit Jack’s young, intelligent and beautiful girlfriend. The truth comes out on the open but soehow both men Jack Worthing (Colin Firth) and Gwendolen Fairfax (Frances O'Connor) manage to get out of trouble by explaining the reasons why they had to do so. Both end up having their normal life and their girlfriends.
“The Importance of Being Earnest” is quick witted, hilarious and brilliantly filmed. The cast was also very talented while having some of the famous celebrity like Frances O'Connor, Reese Witherspoon, Colin Firth, Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson and Anna Massey.
James Berardinelli a film critic learned from Roger Ebert's review of this film that, at the time “The Importance of Being Earnest” was written, the term "earnest" was synonymous with "gay". Considering Oscar Wilde's sexuality, this is not surprising, but it adds another level to the approach in which the film can be analyzed. “The Importance of Being Earnest” is regarded in some circles as being Wilde's best work. And, while that may not be obvious from this curiously low-key version, one can still appreciate some of what the text has to offer. Nevertheless, while “The Importance of Being Earnest” offers chances for sporadic smiles and giggles. Watching “The Importance of Being Earnest” is a wonderful way to spend 1.5 hours.