Oscar Wilde’s witty comedy is brought entertainingly to life by Oliver Parker, who directed the rather poor St Trinian’s movies and the 2009 Dorian Gray adaptation. Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O’Connor, Reese Witherspoon and Judi Dench all star in this tale of two bachelors (Firth and Everett) who get caught up with their own deceptions whilst trying to win the hearts of the women they love. It’s all very light and fluffy, but Parker’s adaptation explores some of the more serious aspects of Wilde’s story, and stages the big reveal at the end splendidly.
When the rights to Miramax’s films were given out to StudioCanal and Lionsgate, not every Blu-ray released featured a pleasing transfer. This one, however, is close to flawless. Beautiful colour, lush photography, gorgeously captured and transferred to disc. This is a 1080p transfer that lives up to the HD hype.
The Importance of Being Earnest (2002), directed by Oliver Parker, is released on blu-ray disc and DVD by Studio Canal, Certificate U.