The direction is not always lively but Wilde's sparkling dialogue helps to make this one practically a "must" for sophisticated customers.

| Oct 30, 2019

Despite a few tweaks to Oscar Wilde's frighteningly witty play, director and writer Anthony Asquith serves up a truly delightful screen version of "The Importance of Being Earnest."

| Original Score: 5/5 | Jan 25, 2019

The steady direction of Anthony Asquith keeps Wilde's polished barbs and bons mots firmly to the fore and the film is an invaluable record of an expert cast at work.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 25, 2019

A film of this kind must either be an adaptation, or a piece of filmed theatre. This one, being partially both, is not wholly either.

| Jan 22, 2018

The perfect cast - Michael Redgrave, Michael Denison, Margaret Rutherford - and the perfect director (Anthony Asquith) know just how seriously (not very) to take this amoral satire on society's falsity.

| Original Score: 5/5 | May 5, 2014

For an audience that takes pleasure in the all-too-rare art of faithful adaptations that vivify rather than embalming their sources [...] Asquith's conservative handling is just what the confirmed and secret Bunburyist ordered.

| Original Score: B+ | Feb 8, 2012

All the charm and glossy humor of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy emerges faithfully in this British production.

| Mar 10, 2009

One is left to appreciate the zingers and spirited performances in this understandably enduring comedy of mistaken identities and romantic entanglements.

| Dec 28, 2008

Mr. Asquith and his top-flight English cast, aided greatly by an artistic use of Technicolor, not only treat this rickety affair with reverence, but endow the lines with charm in keeping with the period.

| Oct 31, 2006

[T]he settings are the epitome of Victorian plushness, the colour is Technicolor at its fruitiest, and most of the playing is disarming, particularly Edith Evans and her handbag.

| Feb 9, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 17, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Apr 7, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 10, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 22, 2003

It doesn't get much better than this.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Jul 30, 2003

| Original Score: 86/100 | Oct 19, 2002

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 7, 2002

Civilized comedy has never been more civilized -- or as preposterously funny.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Jul 30, 2002

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 26, 2002

A very competent and enjoyable rendition of Oscar Wilde's most witty play from 1895.

| Original Score: B | Jul 18, 2002