The Importance of Being Earnest (1952)

Incredibly dated, Oscar Wilde's comedy of manners could not illicit a single laugh from a modern American audience. It's pointed remarks are so dulled by the passage of time that it is almost sad to watch it now. This version, helmed by gay director Anthony Asquith and fronted by bisexual actor Michael Redgrave in the main role, is lifeless and pointless. One wonders if it were successful at all in 1952.

The play, which Asquith reworked for his film, remains relatively intact. With a couple of exceptions, the majority of the film is staged as a play. In fact, Asquith bookends the film with a stage setting and even begins the film with a playgoer utilizing her opera glasses so that we may look through them as well and "enter" the performance.

For what it's worth, Redgrave is much too old for the role of Earnest nee John as well. Supposedly 28, Redgrave looks at least 50. It's really rather silly. His costars are relatively uninteresting with the exception of Edith Evans as Lady Bracknel. Evans makes even a simple word like "the" seem like it is four syllables long. She is quite wonderful.

"The Importance of Being Earnest" is filmed in Technicolor. It looks fake. The music by Benjamin Frankel, when it pops up, is obtrusive. The actors other than Evans seem horribly miscast. The film has not aged well.

Note: The play was filmed again 3 times in the 80's and 90's, twice for television.

Report Card

Script: A+

Acting: C-

Cinematography\Lighting: F

Special Effects\Make Up: F

Music: F

Final Grade: C