The Importance of Being Earnest (2002 film)

The Importance of Being Earnest
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Oliver Parker
Screenplay by	Oliver Parker
Based on	The Importance of Being Earnest 1895 play by Oscar Wilde
Produced by	Barnaby Thompson
Starring	Rupert Everett Colin Firth Frances O'Connor Reese Witherspoon Judi Dench Tom Wilkinson Anna Massey Edward Fox
Cinematography	Tony Pierce-Roberts
Edited by	Guy Bensley
Music by	Charlie Mole
Production companies	Ealing Studios Film Council Fragile Films Newmarket Capital Group
Distributed by	Miramax Films (United States) Miramax International (United Kingdom; through Buena Vista International)[1]
Release dates	17 May 2002 (2002-05-17) (US) 6 September 2002 (2002-09-06) (UK)
Running time	97 minutes
Countries	United Kingdom United States
Language	English
Budget	$15 million
Box office	$17.2 million

The Importance of Being Earnest is a 2002 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Oliver Parker, based on Oscar Wilde's classic 1895 comedy of manners of the same name. A British-American co-production, the film stars Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, Reese Witherspoon, and Judi Dench in lead roles, with Tom Wilkinson and Frances O'Connor in supporting roles. The original music score is composed by Charlie Mole.^[2]

The plot follows two men, John Worthing (Firth) and Algernon Moncrieff (Everett), who both lead double lives using the name "Ernest" to escape social obligations, leading to romantic entanglements and comedic misunderstandings. The film explores themes of identity, deception, and social expectations, all set against the backdrop of Victorian England.

The Importance of Being Earnest was released on May 17, 2002.