This Wilde adaptation directed by Oliver Parker is not the first time audiences have delighted in seeing this play brought to live on the big screen. In fact we have seen it first in 1952, directed by Anthony Asquith and in many subsequent television versions. In the 1952 version and the majority of others the story remains closer to the actual play Wilde had written. In the recent adaptation, several liberties are taken with the story that may ruffle the feathers of some Oscar Wilde purists. I, however, did not see any of these cavalier additions as a problem. For example, the tattoo scenes I found to be quite in line with the general whimsical feeling of the film. A perfect example of Parker's disrespect of this highly irreverent movie is the scene with the point of view from the handbag. It obviously was Parker's idea and fit perfectly with the film. I could hear some of the Purists in the audience groaning, but I just threw some popcorn at their heads and shouted, "Lighten up eggheads!!. It's not history after all, people, It's Oscar Wilde and he begs us to be brazen!!" It was as though the audience wasn't paying attention AT ALL!

The casting of this film, by Celestia Fox was phenomenal. Ms. Fox has shown her innate talent in this area before with such perfectly casted films as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and The Madness of King George. She couldn't have chosen better people this time around either. Colin Firth is perfect as Jack Worthing, and just oozed sincerity in many of his scenes. What was most clear with this film is the ease the actors seem to have with each other. The crumpet scene when Worthing fights Rupert Everet's character, Algernon for the cakes after their ladies have deserted them is priceless and hilarious. Sincerity and comfort amongst actors is something that is impossible to fake and therefore occur only when one takes great care in the casting first and direction of those actors second. This film was fun to watch because everyone in it seemed to be having a great time.

The story centers on two men, Algernon Moncrieff and Jack Worthing, neither man named Ernest but both men needing to use the name for their own benefit. Jack Worthing uses the name as an excuse to leave the country and spend time in the city with his love Gwendolyn Fairfax, wonderfully portrayed by the very skillful Frances O'Connor. Worthing's need to visit the city so often is to contain his imaginary brother Earnest's wild spending sprees. His friend, Algeron or Algy finds the lie devilishly delicious and decides he too can use this to his benefit. While Worthing is in the city attempting to woo the mother of his love, fantastically performed by Judy Dench, Algy makes his way to Worthing's country house. It is here he finds the ravishingly young and beautiful Reese Witherspoon working an English accent like she spent her childhood on the River Cam! Obviously, the plot of this film is nothing new with concepts that have been brought to us all in movies before now. What is new and refreshing is Wilde's natural ability with language and his use of the absurd to make us laugh. The scenes with Everett and Firth are so beautifully timed it is like a dance that has been performed for years by the dancers with little chance of mistakes.

Oscar Wilde was genius. He was the man that showed us that wit does have its place in societal criticism. We can use wit and humor to ease the pain of analysis. Also, he was very influential in the way writers present material on television today. Watch any comedy television show and you will clearly see that snappy dialogue is at the center of it. Oscar Wilde may not have been the first to do it but he was one of the best and his words still make us laugh today. They also make me a little sad because I think I know where his humor comes from. It comes from deep inside a man that was being forced to conform and become something he wasn't and he refused. Instead he made fun of a society that would accept this, went to prison for just that very thing and called it a wrap. The Importance of Being Earnest was Oscar Wilde's last play, and that is the only thing about this film that isn't side splitting hilarious.

Laura Abraham sits around thinking about stuff and talkin' to herself about stuff in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She sometimes buys stuff like pretty, girl lipsticks too.

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