In his second adaptation of an Oscar Wilde play, writer-director Oliver Parker (AN IDEAL HUSBAND) assembles a peerless cast to engage in this witty comedy of manners and mistaken identity. In 1890s London, rakish Algernon Montcrieff (Rupert Everett, who also starred in HUSBAND) runs into his friend, Jack Worthing (Colin Firth), who is in town to propose marriage to Algy's wildly romantic cousin, Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor). When returning a cigarette case to Jack, Algy reads the inscription, and discovers his friend has two secrets. Jack has created a devilish younger brother/alter ego called "Ernest" to hide his own misdeeds, and has a beautiful young ward named Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), whom he wants to keep clear of the roguish Algy. While Jack deals with the large obstacle standing between him and Gwendolen--namely, her mother, the imposing Lady Bracknell (a wonderfully imperious Judi Dench)--Algy devises a way to meet Cecily. The confusion and hilarity come to a peak when Algy arrives at Jack's country manor posing as Ernest in order to woo Cecily, and Gwendolen runs away to the country to be with Jack--whom she knows as Ernest. The stellar cast and Wilde's clever words make for genuine entertainment.

Theatrical release: May 22, 2002 (NY/LA)
May 31, 2002 (EXPANDS)

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
Letterbox - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
Featurette
Audio Commentary: Oliver Parker - Director
Making Of: THE MAKING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus

Distributor Notes: The Importance Of Being Earnest

Starring Reese Witherspoon (LEGALLY BLONDE), Colin Firth (BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY), and Rupert Everett (MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING), here is the hilarious adventure of two dashing young bachelors and the outrageous deceptions they find themselves in over love! Whenever Worthing (Firth) wants to leave his dull country life behind, he makes visits to the city posing as his fictitious "brother" Ernest. There, he becomes smitten with the ravishing Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor, A.I.). But when Worthing is in town, his playboy pal Algy (Everett) is in the country and falling for Worthing's young and beautiful ward, Cecily (Witherspoon) -- while also impersonating Ernest! Pandemonium ensues when these two would-be Ernests find themselves face-to-face and in the predicament of explaining who they really are!

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

Rupert Everett: British Actor
Colin Firth: British Actor
Judi Dench: Oscar-winning British actress, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
Frances O'Connor: Actress
Reese Witherspoon: American actress, CRUEL INTENTIONS (1999)
Tom Wilkinson: British Actor
Anna Massey: British Actress
Edward Fox: British Actor

Oliver Parker: British actor/director/screenwriter

Barnaby Thompson: 

Oliver Parker: British actor/director/screenwriter

"...Wilde's wit breaks through, and the lavish sets and costumes beguile the eye..."
"...Fitting comfortably with the otherwise Brit cast, Witherspoon instantly flashes her charm..."
"...The casting and performances do enjoyable justice to the text....Consistently entertaining..."
"...[A] witty, stylish adaptation of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy..."
"...[Dench's] gift for constructively dominating a scene can't be overpraised..."
"...Everett, whose scenes with Firth are a droll delight, nails every sly laugh. And Witherspoon adds her own legally blond American sparkle to this British party..."
"...The entire cast is enjoyable....There are some glorious sets and costumes..."
"...[The cast] is a dream assemblage....[Witherspoon's] beauty, poise and insouciance make her the center of attention in every scene she's in..."