Simply Perfect

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Hollywood can do what it pleases when it obtains the rights to published works. So, here we have a good comedy-romance that is based upon a great comedy-satire written by Oscar Wilde. It's not really proper to call this 2002 movie, "The Importance of Being Earnest," a "version" or an adaptation of Wilde's original work. For, while it has the same name, this film has changed the focus, gist and essence of Wilde's play.It does follow a similar plot, but has some major additions. It has segments of original dialog. But it loses its bite and running humor by the breaks from dialog and insertions of other scenes. So, the humor here is in a combination of some of the original script that is kept, and some added scenes. The latter include Algy arriving at Jack's country estate by hot air balloon; Algy fleeing debt-collectors in two scenes; and Gwendolen getting a tattoo on her buttocks. These scenes are modern twists that divert the focus from a satire of the time, and turn it into laughs to support a modernized romantic comedy. As I said, this film is somewhat entertaining from that standpoint. But, movie buffs should not go into this film looking for a poignant satire of England's high society of the late 19th century. This 2002 movie has just a thread of the farce. But its many additions and much revision mostly turn those snippets of dialog into individual funny lines or shots at laughter. They no longer have the bite of farce or satire.The cast of this film has some wonderful actors. Among them are Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, Judy Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Anna Massey and Patrick Godfrey. Most do very well in their comedy roles. The two young female roles by Frances O'Connor and Reese Witherspoon are just so-so. Most modern viewers will enjoy this film. But, those who enjoy Wilde, works of wit and farce, or other literary works should find the 1952 film of "The Importance of Being Earnest" most enjoyable.

I agree that the '52 version captures the essence, and I think the delight, of the play. Add to the cast mentioned in the previous review Joan Greenwood, and you have even more delights occasioned by the unique players of the "original." And Margaret Rutherford. As long as I can see the former, I seldom prefer the latter. Some things should be left alone - definitely not re-invented. Any success in remakes seems to come from sticking to the original, just "fresh" players. If the old stuff works, why mess with it? Do something different along similar lines, but rename it. Don't change it all about and call it the same thing. When people like former versions (evidenced by initial AND enduring interest), they generally enjoy new (but TRUE) versions, if done half well. Personally, I enjoy newer versions that stay with what I liked in the first place, but deplore "updates," "modernizations" and "reinventions" which basically depart from what formerly delighted. It's just annoying. Do whatever you like, but don't call it by the same name. Create or refresh; don't despoil. One person's opinion.

As much as I like Colin Firth ever since his portrayal in the A&E production of "Pride and Prejudice," "What a Girl Wants," and "Master of the Moor," I have to say that THIS one was a major disappointment.Frankly, I love the original play and the dry wit and script as seen on stage and in the older version with Michael Redgrave, and eagerly looked forward to seeing Colin Firth and his delivery of lines for this movie.Honestly, the entire movie stank from the over developed sense of egotism by the screen writer and/or director who wanted to put their own interpretation on this clever play. The fantasy scenes were tedious and the script's drastic change from the original dialogue in the middle was of the ridiculous.Firth and his co-stars, which included the fun actress, Judi Dench, seemed to be walking through a reading of the script rather than expressing any true and sincere emotions. And their modernization of the play with the "tattoo on the rump" seems to be entirely out of place with the strictures regarding the heroine. One of the final insults to the original play is the switch of the brothers and their birth which again confused the entire issue of the plot.Unfortunately, this is one movie that, although "clean" in nature, has lost a lot of spontaneity that could have evolved with this cast.A "dreadful dull bore!"

I know Wilde's masterful play very well. I have read it, seen several productions of it and acted in scenes from it. You would think that with this basic material, a brilliant cast, lots of money, a sumptuous production and a truckload of talented people, this would be a great success. WRONG! From the first moments, hearing that totally inappropriate musical score with its strange melange of swing, ragtime and 1920s jazz, all totally anachronistic for the time depicted in this play, the mid-1890s, I knew the viewer was in for trouble. And was I right about that!This was the strangest and most confusing bit of nonsense I have ever seen. This ego-driven production (the director/screenwriter's ego) threw out much of Wilde's effervescent dialogue and substituted campy "shtick" for it, turning Wilde's subtle comedy of manners into a strangely stupid modern "interpretation", complete with tasteless flashbacks and intercuts. I'm surprised this "director" didn't add a few four letter words, farts and burps, which seem to be the current substitutes for comedy in today's films, stage plays and television. We're spared those here, thankfully, but not much else.I don't know what Dame Judi thought of this chance to immortalize her take on Lady Bracknell. This misguided director turns what could have been a brilliant characterization into a shrill one-note performance. Dame Judi does "indignant" and "imperious" very well, but that's not all Lady Bracknell is. And Dench can display these qualities and be funny at the same time, as she does so brilliantly on the BBC series "As Time Goes By". This accomplished actor hardly has a chance for subtlety, or comedy, for that matter, in this mess of a film.I was wishing for more, a chance to see a great actor (Dench) in a great play. How disappointing this was.