Oscar Wilde's play and Oliver Parker's film adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest

¶ … Version of Wilde's Play and Parker's 2002 Film Adaptation

While there are some major differences between the film and stage versions of "The Importance of Being Earnest," the similarities in plot and how it plays out in the versions are certainly more apparent and graphic. He film's plot, based quite closely to the play's, however, allows for a little bit more latitude in the characters, and also tends to eliminate some of the more drawn-out, less important plot features. There have been many film versions, the most recent being the 2002 adaptation by Parker. The play is a tour de force of emotion, and it has been a dramatic staple in British popular culture for over a century. Some of the adaptations are limited by their mode of production, and the differences between the film versions themselves, as well as the difference between the stage and film versions is certainly worth mentioning and exploring. Parker has given his own life to the classic story in his 2002 film

The opportunity to make an artistic statement or mark on an audience is far more limited in films. Since the format and time restrictions of film only give the director and actors certain boundaries, it is quite understandable how the film could exist as a shortened version of the stage play. Acting on stage also robs the story's characters of the opportunity to perfect each line and to get every delivery correct the first time. People on stage often make small mistakes, and no two performances are the same when it comes to live action. For example, in the 1952 film version of the story, actress Edith Evans' delivery of Lady Bracknell's line, "A Handbag?" is one of the most memorable and often quoted lines in British film and stage drama. This earlier film version gave Wilde's play new life in the popular culture of the time. Before this film version, it was performed for over 50 years on stage, as one of Wilde's best known plays. Without a doubt the film versions are all tuned to each director's own adaptation and acting demands.

It is also important to remember the cultural and historical contexts from which the play originated. During its first showing, in the 1890's, the cultural and social climate were obviously quite different. The content and material in the play itself was considered quite risque by many of the Victorian era citizens. Seeing the play and these controversial concepts and actions played out on stage must have been somewhat of a personal and social expression or release, even for the audience. People living double lives and the adult themes associated with many of the main characters' forays were hard to talk about openly at the time of its writing. But the play allowed people an insight into others' lives, and also gave them an outlet for their own thoughts, since the Victorian era was relatively repressive. This is also important to remember when considering the 2002 Parker adaptation. This version had the same themes, but in a modern times contextual way. This helps current audiences relate to the same feelings and emotions that 1890's audiences were able to.

The Parker adaptation takes Wilde's original concept and sheds new light on it. While it retains the same setting, the lines in the Parker version are delivered by modern actors and actresses. In a way, it is entirely impossible to capture the exact same meaning, tone, structure, and themes if the linguistics are changed at all from the play, or as it was originally worded. While the movie is less verbose and condensed than the written work, the central ideas and themes are still retained, and Wilde would have likely approved of this version, since it paints such a clear picture of the characters. These film also removes the stuff, static feeling of the play on stage and places the interactions into new categories that can be better understood by today's audiences. Parker does an excellent job of weaving Wilde's tail. There is little of substance that is removed from the plot, and any audience familiar with the original work should be pleased with Parker's adaptation. Wilde's original intentions, which were to convey the variety of emotional reactions and energies to the audience in live motion, are successfully preserved through the film adaptation.