The Importance Of Being Earnest (2002)

"Everybody loves Ernest... but nobody's quite sure who he really is."

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With thanks to Jesslala

Summary:

Two young bachelors 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 an imaginary brother, Ernest, who he uses as an excuse to leave his dull country life behind and visit the ravishing Gwendolen Fairfax (Frances O'Connor). When Jack proposes, Gwendolen’s stern mother, the haughty Lady Bracknell (Judi Dench) soon puts a damper on Jack’s advances by rejecting him as being not socially distinguished enough for her daughter. Jack’s best-friend, the caddish Algernon Moncrieff (Rupert Everett) uses a similar pseudonym technique to evade his creditors and unwelcome social engagements, only in reverse, his imaginary friend, ‘Bunbury’, provides a convenient and frequent method of taking adventures in the country. However, their dishonesty begins to come undone when Algy decides to take the name 'Ernest' when visiting Jack’s young and beautiful young ward, Cecily Cardew (Reese Witherspoon) at the manor. Ultimately things converge when all involved end up in the Hertfordshire countryside together.

(Movie)

Memorable Quotes from "The Importance Of Being Earnest":

Jack: Actually, I was found.

Lady Bracknell: Found?

Jack: Uh, yes, I was in... a handbag.

Lady Bracknell: A handbag?

Jack: Yes, it was...

[makes gestures]

Jack: an ordinary handbag.

[while Algy is pretending to be Jack's brother]

Jack: [whispering] Algy! Algy! Algy!

[Algy looks around, as if wondering who Jack's calling]

Jack: Ernest.

Algy: Ah, good morning, dear fellow.

Jack: Good heavens, I suppose a man may eat his own muffins in his own garden.

Algy: But you have just said it was perfectly heartless to eat muffins!

Jack: I said it was perfectly heartless of YOU under the circumstances. That is a very different thing.

Algy: That may be, but the muffins are the same!

Jack: How you can sit there eating muffins when we're in this terrible trouble, I can't understand!

Algy: I can hardly eat muffins in an agitated manner. The butter would probably get on my cuffs.

Jack: Then a passionate celibacy is all that any of us can look forward to.

Lady Bracknell: You seem to be displaying signs of triviality.

Jack: On the contrary, Aunt Augusta. I've now realized for the first time in my life the vital importance of being Ernest.

Directed by:
Oliver Parker

Writing credits:
Oliver Parker	(screenplay)
Oscar Wilde	(play)

Full credits here

Runtime: 97 min

Country: France / UK / USA

Language: English

Color: Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

Certification: Australia:G / France:U / Germany:o.Al. / Singapore:PG / Sweden:7 / Switzerland:14 (canton of the Grisons) / Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) / Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) / UK:U / USA:PG / Canada:PG

MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested: some material may not suitable for children)

Also Known As (AKA)

Ernst sein ist alles	–	Austria / Germany
Ernest ou L'importance d'être constant	–	Canada (French title)
L' Importance d'être constant	–	France
L' Importanza di chiamarsi Earnest	–	Italy
Mister Ernest	–	Sweden
Tärkeintä on olla aito	–	Finland

Production Company/Company Credits

The Onet.pl Film photogallery of "The Importance Of Being Earnest" (7 photos)

Cast:

Rupert Everett	Algy
Colin Firth	Jack
Frances O'Connor	Gwendolen
Reese Witherspoon	Cecily
Judi Dench	Lady Bracknell
Tom Wilkinson	Dr. Chasuble
Anna Massey	Miss Prism
Edward Fox	Lane
Patrick Godfrey	Merriman
Charles Kay	Gribsby
Cyril Shaps	Pew opener
Marsha Fitzalan	Dowager
Finty Williams	Young Lady Bracknell
Guy Bensley	Young Lord Bracknell
Christina Robert	Duchess of Devonshire

Information courtesy of The Internet Movie Database.