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Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) Rank 2 Reviews

Expert Review Summary
Movie critics combined give Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) a score of 2.6160 out of 4
based on (198) reviews
Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating
Excellent
4
Excellent
(12)
Very Good
3
Very Good
(131)
Good
2
Good
(47)
Fair
1
Fair
(7)
Poor
0
Poor
(1)
Reviews by Score:
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.47 out of 4 stars for The Boston PhoenixThe Boston Phoenix
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at The Boston Phoenix
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for New York Times (Stephen Holden)New York Times (Stephen Holden)
For all its distractions and additions, The Importance of Being Earnest is still a reasonably entertaining costume comedy. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at New York Times (Stephen Holden)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Salon.com (Stephanie Zacharek)Salon.com (Stephanie Zacharek)
This well-cast adaptation somehow feels obvious and overblown. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Salon.com (Stephanie Zacharek)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
Parker pushes a bit -- who knew Earnest had a love duet sung by Algy and Jack? -- but he proves this vintage bubbly hasn't lost its fizz. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Orlando Weekly (Steve Schneider)Orlando Weekly (Steve Schneider)
Watching this all-too- Earnest bunch, one wishes for a head tic, a stammer or any other comic mannerism that would impart a sorely lacking sense of fun. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Orlando Weekly (Steve Schneider)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for TV Guide's Movie Guide (Ken Fox)TV Guide's Movie Guide (Ken Fox)
With an unflappable air of decadent urbanity, Everett remains a perfect Wildean actor, and a relaxed Firth displays impeccable comic skill. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at TV Guide's Movie Guide (Ken Fox)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for eFilmCritic.com (--)eFilmCritic.com (--)
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at eFilmCritic.com (--)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Film Threat (--)Film Threat (--)
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Film Threat (--)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for At-A-Glance Film Reviews (--)At-A-Glance Film Reviews (--)
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at At-A-Glance Film Reviews (--)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Empire Magazine (--)Empire Magazine (--)
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Empire Magazine (--)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for Screen It! (Jim Judy)Screen It! (Jim Judy)
The result is a generally amusing diversion that retains enough of its pedigree to work, but one that lacks the punch and/or pizzazz to come off as outstanding. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Screen It! (Jim Judy)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for This is Lancashire (--)This is Lancashire (--)
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at This is Lancashire (--)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.40 out of 4 stars for TV Guide (Ken Fox)TV Guide (Ken Fox)
Everett remains a perfect Wildean actor, and a relaxed Firth displays impeccable comic skill. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at TV Guide (Ken Fox)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.39 out of 4 stars for BBC Films (Jason Best)BBC Films (Jason Best)
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at BBC Films (Jason Best)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.39 out of 4 stars for Film Freak CentralFilm Freak Central
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Film Freak Central
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.36 out of 4 stars for Chicago Tribune (Robert K. Elder)Chicago Tribune (Robert K. Elder)
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Chicago Tribune (Robert K. Elder)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.32 out of 4 stars for CineFile : il Cinema in Rete (Alberto Cassani)CineFile : il Cinema in Rete (Alberto Cassani)
Al suo terzo lungometraggio, l'attore e regista teatrale Oliver Parker non si discosta dal filone che aveva già affrontato con buon successo nei due film precedenti, ossia proprio le riduzioni cinematografiche di opere teatrali. Riprende anzi lo stesso ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at CineFile : il Cinema in Rete (Alberto Cassani)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.16 out of 4 stars for Boxoffice MagazineBoxoffice Magazine
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Boxoffice Magazine
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.16 out of 4 stars for Boxoffice MagazineBoxoffice Magazine
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Boxoffice Magazine
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.11 out of 4 stars for Pop Entertainment.com Pop Entertainment.com
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Pop Entertainment.com
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.07 out of 4 stars for Cinema 2000 (Vasco Câmara)Cinema 2000 (Vasco Câmara)
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Cinema 2000 (Vasco Câmara)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Hollywood.com (--)Hollywood.com (--)
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Hollywood.com (--)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Jackie Loohauis)Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Jackie Loohauis)
Oscar Wilde's 1895 comedy remains one of his most enduring, and Miramax's new release can't match the impact or import of the original. But while this film may be a lesser light, it's still worth a visit to the manor house. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Jackie Loohauis)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Salt Lake Tribune (Sean Means)Salt Lake Tribune (Sean Means)
There is such a thing as being too earnest. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Salt Lake Tribune (Sean Means)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Contra Costa Times (Mary F. Pols)Contra Costa Times (Mary F. Pols)
Dull and poorly paced. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Contra Costa Times (Mary F. Pols)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Moviecrazed.com (Guy Flatley)Moviecrazed.com (Guy Flatley)
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Moviecrazed.com (Guy Flatley)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Philadelphia Inquirer (Carrie Rickey)Philadelphia Inquirer (Carrie Rickey)
Despite the sparkling source material ... this romp through Victorian parlors frequently falls flat on its rump. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Philadelphia Inquirer (Carrie Rickey)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Palo Alto Weekly (Susan Tavernetti)Palo Alto Weekly (Susan Tavernetti)
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Palo Alto Weekly (Susan Tavernetti)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Los Angeles Daily News (Glenn Whipp)Los Angeles Daily News (Glenn Whipp)
Those pining for a 'classic' Miramax period piece won't likely be disappointed. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Los Angeles Daily News (Glenn Whipp)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Fantastica Daily (Staci Layne Wilson)Fantastica Daily (Staci Layne Wilson)
Despite all it has going for it, there are too many slow spots. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Fantastica Daily (Staci Layne Wilson)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Reel.comReel.com
By revisiting Wilde, Parker is attempting to appeal to audiences enamored of finely honed, ensemble-based wit like Gosford Park and The Cat's Meow. To that end, Earnest is a perfect selection, as the author subtitled his play "A Trivial Comedy for ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Reel.com
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Palo Alto Online (Susan Tavernetti)Palo Alto Online (Susan Tavernetti)
Rupert Everett and Reese Witherspoon in The Importance of Being Earnest.How can one go wrong with Oscar Wilde's most celebrated comedy of manners and a cast of players so respected that the opening credits must list their names in alphabetical order? ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Palo Alto Online (Susan Tavernetti)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for DigitalVD.de (Nils Laschet)DigitalVD.de (Nils Laschet)
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at DigitalVD.de (Nils Laschet)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Detroit News (Susan Stark)Detroit News (Susan Stark)
...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Detroit News (Susan Stark)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)
Unsatisfactory adaptation that’s not nearly as clever as it thinks it is and is certain to upset the purists.British director Oliver Parker has a proven track record in adaptations of Oscar Wilde’s plays – he was behind 1999’s competent adaptation of An ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Austin Chronicle (Kimberley Jones)Austin Chronicle (Kimberley Jones)
It isn't so much an issue of purism: Filmmakers have often reimagined classic texts for the silver screen, sometimes to great success. And Oliver Parker's new version of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest doesn't even deviate so much from ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Austin Chronicle (Kimberley Jones)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Baltimore Sun (Michael Sragow)Baltimore Sun (Michael Sragow)
These actors have a firm playful grasp and a palpable affection for their characters' befuddled dignity and attraction. They understand what Wilde meant by the importance of being earnest. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Baltimore Sun (Michael Sragow)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for St. Paul Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt (St. Paul))St. Paul Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt (St. Paul))
Parker probably thinks he's shaking up a classic the way Kenneth Branagh and Baz Luhrmann have, but this half-hearted messing-about just makes us miss Wilde's still-contemporary play. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at St. Paul Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt (St. Paul))
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Todd Anthony)South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Todd Anthony)
Earnest falls short of its Ideal predecessor largely due to Parker's ill-advised meddling with the timeless source material. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Todd Anthony)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Urban Tulsa Weekly (Cory Cheney)Urban Tulsa Weekly (Cory Cheney)
"...something appears to have been lost in the translation this time. The Importance of Being Earnest movie seems to be missing a great deal of the acerbic repartee of the play." ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Urban Tulsa Weekly (Cory Cheney)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for San Diego Union-Tribune (David Elliott)San Diego Union-Tribune (David Elliott)
'Opening up' the play more has partly closed it down. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at San Diego Union-Tribune (David Elliott)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 2.00 out of 4 stars for Globe and Mail (Rick Groen)Globe and Mail (Rick Groen)
...a ho-hum affair, always watchable yet hardly memorable. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Globe and Mail (Rick Groen)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for Las Vegas Mercury (Bob Grimm)Las Vegas Mercury (Bob Grimm)
An often-deadly boring, strange reading of a classic whose witty dialogue is treated with a baffling casual approach ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Las Vegas Mercury (Bob Grimm)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for New York Magazine (Peter Rainer)New York Magazine (Peter Rainer)
Parker "opens up" a play that was perfectly wonderful closed down. Wilde subtitled his masterpiece "A Trivial Comedy for Serious People." This movie seems intent on being a trivial comedy for trivial people. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at New York Magazine (Peter Rainer)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland) (Harry Guerin)RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland) (Harry Guerin)
Always destined to be measured against Anthony Asquith's acclaimed 1952 screen adaptation. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland) (Harry Guerin)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for Austin Chronicle (Kimberley Jones)Austin Chronicle (Kimberley Jones)
In all his misguided enthusiasm, Parker has mustered enough bluster to fill up a zeppelin, blowing harder and harder, for something more and more fanciful. But with so much hot air, the bubble is bound to burst, and so it does in Parker's blundering ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Austin Chronicle (Kimberley Jones)
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) scores a combined 1.60 out of 4 stars for Toronto Star (Peter Howell)Toronto Star (Peter Howell)
There are moments of hilarity to be had. ...read the complete Importance of Being Earnest movie review at Toronto Star (Peter Howell)
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Movie Reviews: Comedy
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) Reviews
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002)

RANKINGS:

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Ratings and rankings are based on number of movie, review scores, awards & other criteria.
Overall Rating:
2.6948
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars
Avg Critic Score:
2.6160
Importance of Being Earnest, The (2002) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars
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