The Importance of Being Earnest
Directed by Oliver Parker
Starring Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O'Conner, Reese Witherspoon, and Judi Dench
Rated PG for mild sensuality

"In matters of great importance, style not sincerity, is the vital thing."

Now, I'm not quite sure how greatly important this incarnation of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest is, but I do know that the film preaches the above sentiment both literally (it's a line from the movie) as well as by example. The film doesn't want you to pay much attention to what it does. It would much prefer that you notice the manner in which it does it.

This adaptation of Wilde's play is the second major attempt by (the last coming in 1952) IMDb's count, and boasts an impressive but somewhat predictable cast and crew. The male leads go to Colin Firth and Rupert Everett, both of whom are well versed in the ways of the British costume film. While each delivers a solid performance, it's their stylish attire and clever readings of clever lines that stick in your mind as opposed to any sort of emotion they evoke. Oliver Parker, whose previous credits include the 1999 version of Wilde's An Ideal Husband directs the film with competence but little flair, preferring to
let his actors read their lines and do there work without much hindrance. There are occasional moments of inspired framing but the film lacks the strong emotional relationships to make it really worth worrying about where characters are in relation to each other on the screen. Parker showcases the film's well-constructed set design and costuming, but for the most part stays out of the way, allowing Wilde's words and the charm of Firth and Everett to do the bulk of the work.

Judi Dench, who shows up as the comically stuffy socialite Lady Bracknell, gives an expectedly good performance and provides the film with a little extra prestige. The leading female roles are played by the British actress Frances O'Connor and the oh so American Reese Witherspoon. Casting the latter was a curious decision from an artistic perspective, but if you check out her front and center spot on the film's poster and understand that the movie has to sell in the states in order to make money, the choice makes a lot more sense. She plays the young romantic, Cecily, and really doesn't pull it off too well. The role
calls for supreme naiveté and something about her just doesn't get that across. She's also given the absolute worst costuming in the film, as she spends most of the movie in an amorphous nightgownish dress. Quick note to directors and costume designers: if you have Reese Witherspoon in your movie, don't let amorphous show up in any sentence regarding her clothing. O'Connor's performance is stronger but not outstanding in a role that allows her to be funny and quirky and not much else. Tom Wilkinson also makes an appearance that does nothing to harm or help his status as a great actor.

This film works in its own, limited way, providing the viewer with wit and good-looking people and sets to observe, but not much else. It lacks any sort of emotional impact and there isn't much meaning behind the Dickens-parody of a story that it puts forth. It's a reasonably pleasant, somewhat forgettable hour and forty minutes. Perhaps you could go with you mom, she'd probably enjoy it. I hear Colin Firth is dreamy to that sort of crowd.

Rating 52%