The Importance of Being Earnest (2002) - Dench crowns Parker's fine Wilde adaptation

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A cheeky blend of game stars and an eye-catching question mark graphic makes up this poster for Oliver Parker's The Importance of Being Earnest

In 1890's finer English circles in London, two chums deceit maidens in different ways; both assuming the sympathetic name 'Earnest', which gives rise to problems.

 

The Importance of Being Earnest is written and directed by Oliver Parker (Othello (1995)), adapting the same-titled 1895 play by Oscar Wilde (Lady Windermere's Fan (1892)).

Wonderful Wildeian satire comes out light and well cast here, if a bit dialog heavy in this text loyal adaptation. Rupert Everett (Napoleon (2023)) and Colin Firth (Supernova (2020)) bask in the luxurious material, and everyone do well here; not least Anna Massey (Oliver Twist (2007, miniseries)) as a sympathetic nitwit, and in particular Judi Dench (Cats (2019)) as the honor-focused mother-in-law to be, arguably the crown jewel of the film.

Good-looking costumes and plenty of jolly fun. And Reese Witherspoon (Home Again (2017)) acquits herself well in fitting into the language and landscapes of Britain.

Related posts:

 

Oliver Parker: Johnny English Reborn/Johnny English Returns (2011) - Atkinson will make you laugh till your belly aches

Othello (1995) - Parker's fascinating Shakespeare adaptation debut 

 

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

 

Cost: 15 mil. $

Box office: 18 mil. $

= Big flop (returned 1.2 times its cost)

[The Importance of Being Earnest was released 21 June (USA) and runs 97 minutes. Shooting took place from April - June 2001 in England, including in London. The film opened #18 to a 500k $ first weekend in 38 theaters in North America, where it peaked at #12 and grossed 8.3 mil. $ (44.4 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 4.7 mil. $ (26.1 %) and Australia with 1.4 mil. $ (7.8 %). Roger Ebert gave it a 3/4 star review, equal in rating to this one. Parker returned with The Private Life of Samuel Pepys (2003, TV movie) and theatrically with Fade to Black (2006). Everett returned in Unconditional Love (2002); Firth in Hope Springs (2003); and Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama (2002). The Importance of Being Earnest is rotten at 57 % with a 6/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of The Importance of Being Earnest?

Othello (1995) - Parker's fascinating Shakespeare adaptation debut

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An intimate dramatic trio is promised on this dark and sensual poster for Oliver Parker's Othello

In renaissance Venice, a power struggle breaks out from jealousy from the mighty Iago towards the dark Othello - concerning a woman and other matters.

Othello is written and directed by debuting Oliver Parker (St. Trinian's (2007)), adapting the same-titled 1603-04 play by William Shakespeare (King John (1596)).

It is honestly difficult to comprehend the plot of Othello for this Shakespeare novice, due to the beautiful dialog, which is presumable kept from the play. But this luckily doesn't destroy the experience of watching it. Parker is obviously fully immersed in the play, which is presented cinematically here, not least thanks to the seething performances of Laurence Fishburne (Bobby Z (2007)) and Kenneth Branagh (Celebrity (1998)). The two fascinate here, even when the narrative connections get fuzzy.

 

Related post:

 

Oliver Parker: Johnny English Reborn/Johnny English Returns (2011) - Atkinson will make you laugh till your belly aches

 

Watch a 2-minute clip from the film here

 

Cost: 11 mil. $

Box office: In excess of 2.8 mil. $ (North America only)

= Uncertain but likely a big flop (projected return of 0.54 times its cost)

[Othello was released 15 December (North America) and runs 123 minutes. Shooting took place from June - August 1995 in Italy, including in Rome. The film opened #14 to a 29k $ first weekend in 2 theaters in North America, where it grossed 2.8 mil. $. The international gross numbers have regrettably not been made public. Projecting a final world gross of 6 mil. $, the film would rank as a big flop. Roger Ebert gave the film a 2/4 star review, translating to 2 notches under this one. Parker returned with An Ideal Husband (1999)). Fishburne returned in Fled (1996); Branagh in Hamlet (1996); and Irène Jacob (Rio Sex Comedy (2010)) in Victory (1996). Othello is fresh at 68 % with a 6.30/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Othello?

Johnny English Reborn/Johnny English Returns (2011) - Atkinson will make you laugh till your belly aches

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Rowan Atkinson is back in a visibly intense way for Oliver Parker's Johnny English Reborn

QUICK REVIEW:

Great Britain's master spy gets dragged out of his sanctum in Tibet to stop a coming attack on China's prime minister in London, committed by a terrifying blend of KGB, CIA and MI7 known as 'Vortex'!

Some of the gags don't work, and English's new sidekick (Daniel Kaluuya (Kick-Ass 2 (2013))) doesn't add much or make much of an impression.
But Johnny English 2 still creates so many laughing fits in its audience (SPOILER I especially loved the chair scene and the scene of the attack on hot Gillian Anderson's (The Last King of Scotland (2006)) mother) that it becomes a big success as the spoof comedy that it is. - In fact, it might even be a tad better than the original Johnny English (2003).
Hamish McColl (Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007)) has written it, based on story elements by William Davies (How to Train Your Dragon (2010)), and the structure is damn near perfect. Oliver Parker (The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)) has directed it. 
Comedic genius Rowan Atkinson (Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)) is phenomenal in it. Johnny English Reborn is a must for any Atkinson fan.

Rosamund Pike attending to Rowan Atkinson's leg in Oliver Parker's Johnny English Reborn

Watch the hilarious trailer for the film here

Cost: 45 mil. $
Box office: 160 mil. $
= Big hit
[Atkinson and Johnny English are something the North Americans still don't really get; humor sometimes doesn't translate well, and he seems to be one example here: The film only grossed 8.2 mil. $ (5% of the total gross) in the US (following a meager 3.8 mil. $ opening weekend.) Atkinson appeals more broadly in several other countries which made the film a success nonetheless. But a third movie, or a wholly different comedy with Atkinson, hasn't materialized since, unfortunately.]

What do you think of Johnny English Reborn?