A lot of film critics have called this movie mediocre, but I disagree. I enjoyed it.
A big beef with most of them seems to be that Mr. Parker has (gasp!) put his own spin on the source material. He's included things like daydream sequences, Dixieland Jazz, and a tattoo scene that aren't in the original, and the critics contend that Oscar Wilde must therefore be spinning in his grave.
I liked all the "modern" additions. They made the movie more enjoyable and accessible than it would've been otherwise (I certainly liked it better than Mr. Parker's other foray into Wilde, "An Ideal Husband"). Most "drawing room" plays written for the stage by stodgy 19th century playwrights (Wilde, Chekhov, Ibsen, etc.) are about as interesting as watching grass grow. Mr. Parker was wise to liven things up a bit with some modernism. Wilde's wit remains intact and the actors deliver their lines impeccably; the audience I saw this movie with did lots of laughing.
It's also beautifully shot; the period costumes and grand country estates are wonderful to look at.
And Reese Witherspoon does a great job at being "English".
If you like intelligent romantic comedies, "The Importance of Being Earnest" is worth seeing.
A big beef with most of them seems to be that Mr. Parker has (gasp!) put his own spin on the source material. He's included things like daydream sequences, Dixieland Jazz, and a tattoo scene that aren't in the original, and the critics contend that Oscar Wilde must therefore be spinning in his grave.
I liked all the "modern" additions. They made the movie more enjoyable and accessible than it would've been otherwise (I certainly liked it better than Mr. Parker's other foray into Wilde, "An Ideal Husband"). Most "drawing room" plays written for the stage by stodgy 19th century playwrights (Wilde, Chekhov, Ibsen, etc.) are about as interesting as watching grass grow. Mr. Parker was wise to liven things up a bit with some modernism. Wilde's wit remains intact and the actors deliver their lines impeccably; the audience I saw this movie with did lots of laughing.
It's also beautifully shot; the period costumes and grand country estates are wonderful to look at.
And Reese Witherspoon does a great job at being "English".
If you like intelligent romantic comedies, "The Importance of Being Earnest" is worth seeing.