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The Importance of Being Earnest [VHS] [2002]

Rupert Everett (Actor), Colin Firth (Actor), Oliver Parker (Director) | Rated: Universal, suitable for all | Format: VHS Tape

4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)

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Product details

Actors: Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O'Connor (II), Reese Witherspoon, Judi Dench
Directors: Oliver Parker
Language: English
Classification: U
Studio: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
VHS Release Date: 21 July 2003
Run Time: 97 minutes

Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)

ASIN: B000063W2K
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 150,187 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)

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Product Description

The Importance of Being Earnest is a comedy masterpiece set during the Victorian era. The film concerns a pair of flamboyant bachelors called Algy (Rupert Everett) and Jack (Colin Firth) who secretly lead double lives. Using aliases and false alibis, the pair woo respectable ladies by day and cavort in music halls at night. Through countless blunders and haphazard tomfoolery, it is only a matter of time before they are caught out by their own lies. Sparkling dialogue, razor-sharp wit and electric performances make The Importance of Being Earnest unforgettably funny, whilst the grandiose sets and fabulous period costumes add romance and charm. Reese Witherspoon is radiant as Cecily, an alluring English rose, and Judi Dench puts in a fantastic performance as Lady Bracknell.

Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars

4.2 out of 5 stars

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Handbag?! 9 Jan 2005

By Reader

Format:DVD

Wilde's fantastic play could have not asked for a better adaptation than this. The characters have a fantastic chemisty on screen and fit into their own personal roles wonderfully. Firth and Everett are the perfect orphan boy and playboy turned earnest. I don't image many will be unfamiliar with the plot but here's a quick summary:

Firth plays Jack, who lives in the country and heads to the city under the name of Earnst. Everett plays Algernon who lives in the town but heads out to the country under the name of earnst. Why? Well, Jack is in love with Lady bracknell's daughter who dreams of marrying a man named earnest. Algernon inteneds to marry Jack's ward, Cecily, by going to Jack's house (while Jack is in town) posing as Jack's fictitious brother Earnst. (Jack say's to his country folk he's off to town to visit his brother earnst) Cecily also wants to marry a man named earnst. Confused yet...I am!!

Annnyyyway, Jack comes back from town only to find Algernon flirting with Cecily and pretending to be jack's fake brother. Jack is astonished but doesn't blow his cover because Algie knows he's pretending his name is also earnst so he can marry Gwendoline Bracknell (algie's cousin). And so ensues a hilarious tale of thse two men attempting to explain who they really are and what they're up to to their adoring fiances.

As is expected of Wilde, this story is full of quirky one liners;

"Are your parents living?"

"My parents are both dead."

"To lose one parent in unfortunate. To lose two could be considered careless."

The cast are excellent so I honestly can't say who my favourite is. Jst know that this adaptation is first class and a bargain at the price being offered. Enjoy.

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22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Earnestly flippant 9 Nov 2004

By A Customer

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This updated version of an old classic tries too hard to better Wilde's own impeccable script by trying to appeal to more modern tastes. Its modifications, such as Gwendolyn's car & tattoo, Algie's jazz playing and running from the law, give the whole story a less credible air. It's not so much that the film has been updated, more mixed-dated, and the laughs seem cheap; too much has been taken from the imagination and dialogue through the excesses on screen.

However, although Colin Firth and Rupert Everett may seem too old, they feasibly carry off their roles. Dame Judy has the unenviable task of delivering lines immortalised by Dame Edith Evans; her reinterpretation is creative and appropriate, although the playful smile at the corner of her mouth somewhat reduced her traditional authority.

The film was enjoyable, but it's earnestly flippant direction prevented it from being the hillarious comedy of manners of Wildes' original play

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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Wilde about this 1 Oct 2010

By KJ

Format:DVD

I've already discovered that people don't vote on reviews because of their content but on whether or not they tally with their own views so I will expect to see 'not helpful' votes pile up but here goes anyway.

If you're looking for a mildly entertaining bit of froth with generally good actors you will probably enjoy this. What you will NOT see is Oscar Wilde's 'Ernest'. Nowhere that I can see does it say that this is heavily adapted from the play but it is, there are too many changes to the script to quote them all but, to site the worst aberation, the fact that Jack is referred to as Algenon's YOUNGER (not older as Willde wrote it) brother towards the end makes the whole premise of the plot nonsense. OK, Algie's played as a bit of an ibecile but surely he would have known he once had a brother around the house so why should it come as such a surprise?

If you want to see a somewhat dated but beautifully played version of the original get the old Redgrave/Dennison/Evans DVD. I bought this as a Judi Dench completist (sic) and funny as her performance undoubtedly is, Edith Evans simply IS Lady Bracknell.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Its recommended if it is what you are looking for.

I bought this book for my 12 year old child whom is working towards IGCSE English. Most of the film is similar to the book. Read more

Published 4 days ago by Sanaa

3.0 out of 5 stars The Importance of Theatre Productions.

Colin Firth and Judy Dench usually mean that a film is going to have merit no matter what. The film certainly has a lot to offer in terms of depicting the dandy lifestyles of Jack... Read more

Published 13 days ago by N. L. Ellam

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious

An excellent movie - one of my favourites. Even watched it with a friend who doesn't usually like period dramas & she enjoyed it

Published 1 month ago by makeasound

4.0 out of 5 stars mums hero

bought for mum who loved it, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..

Published 1 month ago by jan

5.0 out of 5 stars True to the actual play

This is one of my favourite plays to read, and now one of my favourite films to watch. The acting is brilliant, and the play has hardly been changed at all!

Published 1 month ago by Harveycat

5.0 out of 5 stars The Importance of Being Earnest

For the first time in my life the plot of the play has been made understandable.

The actors are the best. I see it over and over again.

Published 2 months ago by Arne Strandli

5.0 out of 5 stars Good fun.

I love the play and the cast in this particular DVD was very well chosen. To be honest I can watch most programmes with Colin firth in a role!

Published 3 months ago by Marian

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure pleasure with no special effects

A treat for your eyes and ears and soul. The only film I have watched more than 5 times and still enjoying every time. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Martins

1.0 out of 5 stars Complete waste of money

I was extremely annoyed to discover there were no subtitles, and the so called DTS HD Master Audio is rubbish. Read more

Published 4 months ago by J>Slater

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent film

I bought this film for a friend. It arrived both swiftly and well packaged. My friend loved it. Very pleased with this purchase

Published 4 months ago by Bex & James

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