Everybody's a critic - 'The Importance of Being Earnest'

Two stars

Forget all the Ernest movies you've seen. Set in England during the Victorian era, this movie is a charming, light, romantic comedy about two fellows, Jack and Algy, who use the same name, Ernest, to have an irresponsibly good time.

Jack is living a double life: playboy Ernest while in the city, gentleman "Uncle Jack" at his country manor. He has a lovely young fantasy-prone ward, Cecily, he keeps tucked away and protected.

Jack is in love with Algy's cousin, Gwendolen, and wants to marry her. But Gwen's high society matron mum doesn't think "Ernest" is worthy.

Lady Bracknell could give a combat Marine jelly knees. Algy falls for Jack's ward, Cecily. Romance goes awry when both Earnests end up in the country leading to a comedy of misidentities.

There are a few silly/odd twists to this somewhat predictable movie, but overall Mr. Spouse, teen daughter and I found it humorously entertaining.

-- Susan Susler, registered nurse

Three stars

Living as we do in a cultural backwater, this second filmed version of the Oscar Wilde play, which opened last weekend, originally came out in May. Too bad it did not come sooner because this funny and witty movie, which actually treats its viewers as having a brain, would have been a nice relief from the usual summer special effects fare.

The plot involves two men (Colin Firth, Rupert Everett) who both use alter egos to serve their purposes and the complications that follow when they both need the name and identity of Ernest.

Richly written, the movie is made all the more enjoyable by the performance of the British actors, who fill these roles like a pair of old comfortable shoes, and in particular Messrs. Everett and Firth, Judi Dench ("M") and Tom Wilkinson (General Cornwallis in "The Patriot"). Nobody these days does a period piece better than Miramax, and I recommend this movie. -- Michael McGuire, attorney

Four stars

"The Importance of Being Earnest" blew me out of the water. From the title, I expected a boring chick flick, but what I found was a quick-witted, extremely enjoyable film.

This movie had me guessing until the very last second, and I was still thinking on the way home. I was astounded by the unexpected plot twists and the precise editing that made transitions between scenes so magical.

This picture is full of twists. It involves two friends, Algy and Jack (Rupert Everett and Colin Firth) who live lives of deception by taking on a second identify to insure the lifestyle they desire. Unfortunately, their deceptions catch up with them in the end when they discover that they are, in fact, posing as the same identity, Ernest. The deception is eventually found out by their loves, Cecily and Gwendolen (Reese Witherspoon and Frances O'Connor), and comedy follows.

-- Layne Strattman, college student