Watch
The Importance of Being Earnest
The Importance of Being Earnest
+5
Your probable score
?
The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest

1952
Comedy, Drama
1h 35m
Jack Worthing lives in the country with his pretty ward Cecily Cardew. But in the city, he goes by the name of Earnest and is in love with Gwendolyn Fairfax (imdb)

The Importance of Being Earnest

1952
Comedy, Drama
1h 35m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 64.5% from 208 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(209)
Compact view
Compact view
Rated 16 Oct 2011
70
57th
Edith Evans providing a rare glimpse at perfection.
Rated 03 May 2011
81
77th
Don't bother. Jim Varney isn't in this one.
Rated 18 Oct 2010
70
63rd
Feels too much like a filmed play, still, this is by far the best film version. Excellent performances, especially Dame Edith Evans gloriously over-the-top interpretation of Lady Bracknell. A haaandbaaaaaaaghh?
Rated 01 Mar 2007
78
63rd
Wilde's play is brilliant, of course -- a cleverly constructed comedy of stunning coincidences, both fortunate and unfortunate, stacked with witty dialogue. Asquith's adaptation is just fine, but I must say I actually prefer the Rupert Everertt/Colin Firth/Reese Witherspoon version by Oliver Parker. Asquith focuses too heavily on the theatricality of the work (even opening and closing his film in the theater) while Parker's has greater vitality. The performances are roughly equal.
Rated 31 Mar 2024
80
99th
The use of the English language is without doubt the starring ingredient of The Importance of Being Earnest (1952).
Rated 23 Dec 2022
78
59th
A importância de ser honesto estreava há 70 anos em New York. Gosto muito dos primeiros filmes do Asquith, mas conforme os anos iam avançando sua carreira não acompanhava as nuances da linguagem do cinema e isso fica meio evidente aqui. Provavelmente ainda é a melhor adaptação dessa peça do Wilde, com um elenco maravilhoso no auge da forma, mas soa muito como um filme defasado já na sua estreia. BlurayRip RARBG.
Rated 09 Jun 2021
82
82nd
I love the cut and thrust of the wordplay. The plot isn't too important but it rattles on well. A rare example of a "if they just shut up and explain" film that doesn't annoy.
Rated 21 Aug 2020
81
84th
Dame Edith Evans commands the stage/screen from the very moment she enters. and the rest of the cast is no less extraordinary. Some complain that this is stagey... there is absolutely nothing UNstagey about an Oscar Wilde play. Besides, the question is addressed in the film's opening, where we, the audience, are shown we are attending a play. Great fun. "Prism! Where is that baby?"
Rated 04 Oct 2018
30
10th
Dated. It's a faithful adaptation, but I don't like the play, either.
Rated 05 Nov 2017
70
75th
The whole thing is funny mainly because of how absurd and stupid the whole thing is. I found all the actors to be perfectly cast in this.
Rated 08 May 2017
65
45th
This didn't quite work for me. Sets and costumes, absolutely divine. The production IMHO tries too hard to acknowledge the staged original and in doing so is a bit stilted and aged. It is entertaining, funny in parts and the performers do well. I found however that the continual aura of aristocratic twittery going full on for the length of the movie became a bit tiresome. 65 where "65" means "decent and happy to have seen it but probably wouldn't watch again".
Rated 11 May 2014
7
73rd
Entertaining, witty and well executed.
Rated 09 Mar 2014
75
69th
Lots of laughs from the clever dialog and hats. Somehow this felt too thin and light to me, as though it's not quite enough to be a complete work. Still, very enjoyable.
Rated 01 Feb 2014
85
75th
“In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing.” Unsurpassed!
Rated 15 Sep 2013
89
92nd
Stagey, sure, but who cares. It's witty, sharply written fun with great performances, excellent timing, and a well done ending. Couldn't ask for much more.
Rated 05 Nov 2012
81
77th
Classic Wilde, done definitively.
Rated 25 Jul 2012
84
76th
A handbag?!
Rated 27 Nov 2011
94
90th
Sparkling adaptation of Wilde's play, with a perfect cast highlighted by peerless Evans as Lady Bracknell. Asquith handles his excellent actors with aplomb, and simultaneously opens up the play somewhat, while never letting us forget that it is ultimately rooted to the stage. Great fun.
Rated 31 Dec 2010
78
67th
It's hard to mess up the delirious(ly) inspired script penned by Oscar Wilde. The performances skewed flamboyant, but it only added to the gaiety of the non matters at hand. Dame Edith Evans is glorious, here.
Rated 12 Sep 2010
1
9th
The film just didn't get my attention.
Rated 07 Apr 2010
68
70th
Wilde's play is has a somewhat silly plot, and a few of the jokes are rather drab, but on the whole it is witty and nice. Asquith's adaptation keeps it very loyal and very play-like: The interior sets and wardrobe are fancy and vivid, but otherwise the presentation is static and it's almost like sitting in a theater. The text's delivery therefore relies entirely on the cast, and it's a good cast, Edith Evans especially. Michael Denison is like a cross between Hugh Grant and James Stewart.
Rated 02 Feb 2010
85
66th
Workmanlike film of a great play, featured a fine cast.
Rated 23 Apr 2008
70
41st
It's not a bad adaptation by any means, but this play is better on stage. The girl who played Cecily annoyed me for some reason too.
Rated 02 Jan 2008
88
86th
Dry, whitty and faithful representation of the play. This crisp and benchmark production is so completely engaging it is by far the best of the film versions. Edith Evans is stately as Lady Bracknell with an impressive supporting cast who's obvious enjoyment of the script doesnt detract from a true timecapsule of a film and a great presentation of Wilde's masterpiece.

Collections

Loading ...

Similar Titles

Loading ...

Statistics

Loading ...

Trailer

Loading ...