In this adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s witty play about mistaken identities, two proper gentlemen in 1890s London use the same pseudonym, Earnest, for their on the sly courtship activities. Pandemonium ensues when the two men find themselves face-to-face and have to explain who they really are.
Featured Clips
03:02Cecily much prefers burying herself in her diary over books. In this scene: Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), Miss Prism (Anna Massey), Dr. Frederick Chasuble (Tom Wilkinson), Algernon (Rupert Everett), Jack (Colin Firth)- 01:56In anticipation of Lady Augusta Bracknell and Gwendolen's arrival, Algernon promises to keep the true identity of Earnest a secret. In this scene: Algernon (Rupert Everett), Jack (Colin Firth), Lady Augusta Bracknell (Judi Dench), Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor)
- 03:48Earnest, a.k.a. Jack, wishes to make Gwendolen his wife, but he's going to have to explain himself to Algernon first. In this scene: Algernon (Rupert Everett), Jack (Colin Firth)
- 02:15Deciding to forsake his double life, Jack proclaims that Earnest is dead... almost. In this scene: Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), Miss Prism (Anna Massey), Dr. Frederick Chasuble (Tom Wilkinson), Jack (Colin Firth)
- 01:15Gwendolen reassures Earnest, a.k.a. Jack, that her mother's disaproval of him does not affect her devotion. In this scene: Algernon (Rupert Everett), Jack (Colin Firth), Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor)
- 02:09Algernon attempts to play his way into Cecily's heart. In this scene: Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), Algernon (Rupert Everett), Jack (Colin Firth)
- 01:37Cecily shares with Algernon, who is now also doubling as Earnest, the details of their imaginary engagement. In this scene: Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), Algernon (Rupert Everett)
- 01:22Someone is refusing to bless Algernon and Cecily's impending marriage — and it's not Lady Bracknell. In this scene: Algernon (Rupert Everett), Jack (Colin Firth), Lady Augusta Bracknell (Judi Dench), Cecily (Reese Witherspoon)
- 01:56Cecily and Gwendolen discover their engagements share an uncomfortable similarity. In this scene: Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), Algernon (Rupert Everett), Gwendolen (Frances O'Connor)
