Parker's film implicitly endorses the conventional morality that the play-a drama, let us not forget, by the author of "The Truth of Masks" and "The Decay of Lying"-so hilariously lampooned.

| Aug 20, 2018

A more serious problem is that Parker doesn't trust his material and - under the guise of pointing up Wilde's subversive wit - has opted to play safe.

Full Review | Nov 15, 2017

Romance and deception in Wilde's clever comedy of manners.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 15, 2011

[An] utterly miscalculated film adaptation of Wilde's play.

Full Review | Mar 26, 2009

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 7, 2008

This may be a less than ideal "Earnest," but it still has delights...

Full Review | Nov 1, 2007

You might suppose that Oscar Wilde's theatrical evergreen is indestructible. But that would be to reckon without the intervention of 'writer'/director Parker, who really makes a pig's ear of this silk purse.

| Jun 24, 2006

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Dec 6, 2005

| Original Score: 4/4 | Sep 30, 2005

Wilde subtitled his masterpiece "A Trivial Comedy for Serious People." This movie seems intent on being a trivial comedy for trivial people.

Full Review | Aug 7, 2004

The movie stumbles along awkwardly rather than tripping by wittily from beginning to end. The fault lies in Parker's needless embellishments.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jun 25, 2004

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| Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 12, 2004

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 20, 2003

| Original Score: 6/10 | Jun 19, 2003

Always destined to be measured against Anthony Asquith's acclaimed 1952 screen adaptation.

| Original Score: 2/5 | May 22, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | May 20, 2003

| Original Score: 2/5 | Mar 10, 2003

The ability to compress such a hilariously complex story into 97 minutes of film is a tribute both to Wilde's astounding economy with words and Parker's mastery of his source material.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Feb 8, 2003

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Dec 8, 2002

Could it be better cast? NO! It?s a frothy delight, true to the spirit of the original, but flavored with the permissiveness of the present.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 29, 2002