the importance of being earnest
An earnestly important comedy filmed in the theatre and presented on a cinema screen
2016 review number 18:
The Importance of Being Earnest: (Comedy): 65 out of 100: I had never seen a play filmed in the theatre and presented on a cinema screen so it was with interest to discover what the experience was like. Since I am not a theatre critic, I won't be writing a detailed review. This will be more like my experience of seeing a theatrical production on a screen and how it translates to a cinema audience.
Jack (Michael Benz) and Algernon (Philip Cumbus) are wealthy gentlemen. Jack (known to Algernon as Ernest) lives a respectable life in the country providing an example to his young ward Cecily (Imogen Doel). Algernon lives in luxury in London and has invented an imaginary invalid friend (Bunbury) whom he visits in the country whenever an unappealing social engagement presents itself. Jack has also invented a character - a wayward younger brother called Ernest whom he uses as pretext for going up to London and enjoying himself. Jack wants to marry Algernon’s cousin Gwendolen (Emily Barber), but must first convince her mother, Lady Bracknell (David Suchet), of the respectability of his parents.
(Plot summary courtesy of http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/t/importance-of-being-earnest-characters-and-plot/)
Since there are three acts, this allows for only three changes of scenery. The set decoration is beautiful and clearly represents the era in which the story is set, along with the costumes which are resplendent. There is no music during the play. There is a 15 minute interval between each act, just like there would be in the theatrical production.
This would have been far better to see in the theatre with its copious amounts of dialogue and actors who enunciate their words so the audience can hear them. The exaggeration of gestures and movements are also indicative of a humorous play. It's safe to say that there is a fair bit of overacting which is fine for the theatre but not necessarily so for the cinema. David Suchet and Imogen Doel are the prime suspects when it comes to overacting. The script itself is funny but it's difficult to fully appreciate in a cinema environment.
I'm sure that if I saw this in the theatre, it would have received a better rating. Even though there were various cameras cutting between the characters, I just couldn't get in to the 'movie' due to its theatrical setting. Other audience members disagreed as they clapped enthusiastically at the end just like the audience in a theatre would. As a movie it doesn't work but as a stage play it is energetic, rambunctious and hilarious.
Starring David Suchet, Michael Benz, Philip Cumbus, Emily Barber and Imogen Doel
(148 minutes - 118 minutes without intervals)
Additional scene during or after credits: No
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnBFABWeXJs (Movie trailer)
(Reviewed on Thursday 28th January, 2016)
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