This movie is the most faithful version of Oscar Wilde's play, "The Importance of Being Earnest," put on film. By all rights, one might expect it to be the best. The BBC made it a full 15 minutes longer than the 1952 film. It keeps the target of the farce and satire. But it just doesn't stand up to Anthony Asquith's 1952 film. Had we not had that film first, many of us would likely raise this film a notch. But we do have the 1952 film, so the two beg comparison.
I don't think there can be any doubt that the major difference is in the cast and the directing. The biggest weakness in this 1986 BBC film is in the characters and roles overall. While the cast are established English actors, they aren't of the caliber of the several leads – and supporting cast – of the 1952 film. Most of the lead performers in this film quite simply don't seem to fit their roles very well. That, and the director doesn't probe them to get the most out of the characters. Even Joan Plowright's character doesn't quite reach the level of abhorrent societal imbecility that the role demands.
Paul McGann and Rupert Frazer especially are not well cast in their roles as Jack and Algy. The female leads are somewhat better, but still not fully developed by Amanda Redman and Natalie Ogle. Some of the supporting roles are better. But the directing just doesn't bring the satire and farce out very forcefully. It needs to do that to raise this above plain comedy status.
This BBC rendition is entertaining, and worth a viewing for those who may not have seen a movie version yet of this classic Wilde play. But for lovers of wit and satire, Wilde and the classics, the real treat comes in watching the 1952 film, with Michael Redgrave, Edith Evans, Joan Greenwood, Michael Denison, and others.
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