When we read a literary work, we go recreating in any way our own work, the author presents us his/her creation, we recreate and adapt it. This is the job that directors present when they represent the work of other authors project on screen or in the stage. So, Oliver Parker has known adapt Oscar Wilde’s work in a space as expressive as cinema. So, Oliver Parker and Anthony Asquith have known adapt Oscar Wilde’s work in a space as expressive as cinema.
Doing a comparison between the play and the film, is not fair, because both of them can transmit emotions, thoughts, feelings or sensations very different, (or similar like in this case), like in both cases.
There are two films about Oscar Wilde’s works “The importance of being earnest”, Exist more films but these are the most important. Between both them exists a difference of fifty years, and offer at the spectator diverse versions, neither better nor worse, but obviously with notables difference as for the cinematographic means.
Is interesting highlight the version dos in 1952 and called "Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest", directed by Anthony Asquith and with the authors Michael Redgrave, Michael Denison, Joan Greenwood y Dorothy Tutin like characters.
DIRECTOR
Anthony Asquith like director modifies the film and eliminates any scene. Change any small text’s part and intents increase the theatric origin’s film.
In this first film, doing by Asquith, the color increases his important, like important is too mention to Desmond Dickinson, who lights effectively the set and wardrobe. Carmen Dillon like artistic director with the collaboration of Arthur Taksen like scene’s creator and Beatrice Dawson help obviously by Asquith to dress the characters, bring out the colorist Jack’s costumes and invented a Victorian society too remote about static reality, like in Wilde’s play.
Asquith knows direct his/her actors, and they can show maxim about them, this is helped with the camera’s movement.
CHARACTERS
Michael Redgrave plays to Jack Worthing. He shows be able to interpret a comedy, and know give his character the ambivalence that has in the city and in the country.
Michael Denison, “discovered” in this film, is able to transform in the cheeky aristocracy more cynical in the screen, with his peculiar form to interpret the script creating an unforgettable guy.
The actress Joan Greenwood plays to Gwendolyn Fairfax, and Dorothy Tutininterpret to young and delicacy Cecile Cardew
We cannot forget to actress Edith Evans because her interpretation of Lady August Bracknell is inimitable, achieve that seen the film we cannot imagine other August.
But is important emphasize too the comic partner compose by Dr. Casulla and the governess Miss Prism, characters interpreted by Miles Malleson and Margaret Rutherford respectively because Asquith keep the formal tone of the original text written by Wilde, encircle to the classical discourse theatric.
An advice, enjoying with the film in his original version, because the effort to adapt the accent so many special of the epoch, have not price
Definitely, a very good obligated film to people who like good texts, better theatre and good interpretations.
As for as actual and last version, "The importance of being earnest" (2002), directed by Oliver Parker, who has known drive in any great way, the script, like actors (between them emphasize Rupert Everett, Colin Firth and Frances O'Connor) and the play. Parker had been adapted yet other Oscar Wilde’s play called “An ideal husband” (1999) but decided repeat literacy scriptwriter.
DIRECTOR.
Oliver Parker will take care over in this adaptation the exteriors in the city and in the country and interior. He pays so much money to decorate luxuriously complementary stages and to dress more than a centenary of extras.
As regards as script, we cannot said anything else about Oliver Parker because he has respected with total fidelity the text, with witty and clever dialogues that Oscar Wilde wrote, mixed with linguistics confusions which critic classes system, habits and British society hypocrisy of the time. Humor, irony and love are mixed in this excellent play.
CHARACTERS
Characters have adapted perfectly his/her roles with subtle senses of humor.
Masculine’s Characters:
Rupert Everett interprets to Algernon Moncrieff and Colin Firth to Jack Worthing. Both are so many educated in front of the other characters of the film but between them their attitude present an infantile competence for the food, so they show the magnificent mocks that Wilde like present about barely English gastronomy’s quality.
Parker directs feminine’s characters in a way so many adequate to her personalities, Gwendolyn Fairfax interpreted by Frances O’Connor shows a well ahead woman of its time, decided to achieve her wishes, without fear to her mother Lady Augusta Bracknell who is interpreted by Judi Dench and who intents manipulate to Jack. Opposite Gwendolyn, Cecily Cardew interpreted by Reese Witherspoon, shows like a dreamy young.
But between their emphasize women’s role because of their mix naivety, stupidity and feminine ambitions, but we can forget her picturesque thought that come swiftly by their life’s.
But love stories continue with the governess Miss Prism and the canon Casulla who interpret Anna Massey and Tom Wilkinson respectively. Both brilliant interprets.
Definitely, he has made an excellent effort and job that has given his fruits in this funny and pleasant film. A brilliant comedy with a careful script, but delicious and unforgettable interpretations. A perfect film of Oscar Wilde’s theatre.
