THE IMPORTANCE OF
BEING ERNEST

Year: 2002
USA: Miramax
UK: Buena Vista International UK
Cast: Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Reese Witherspoon, Judi Dench, Frances O'Connor, Tom Wilkinson, Anna Massey, Edward Fox
Director: Oliver Parker
Country: UK
UK: 97 mins
USA Rated: PG for mild sensuality
UK Certificate: U
USA Release Date: 24 May 2002 (Limited Release - Los Angeles and New York)
UK Release Date: 6 September 2002


Synopsis

Two young gents living in 1890's England have taken to bending the truth in order to put some excitement into their lives. Jack Worthing (Colin Firth) has invented a brother, Earnest, whom he uses as an excuse to leave his dull country life behind to visit the ravishing Gwendolyn Fairfax (Frances O'Connor). Algernon Montcrieff (Rupert Everett) decides to take the name 'Earnest' when visiting Worthing's young and beautiful ward, Cecily Cardew (Reese Witherspoon) at the country manor. Things start to go awry when they end up together in the country and their deceptions are discovered - threatening to spoil their romantic pursuits.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Oscar Wilde's hilarious and most cherished play reunites the team of director/write Oliver Parker and producer Barnaby Thompson who brought to the screen the critically-acclaimed AN IDEAL HUSBAND (1999).