The Importance of Watching Earnest

Yesterday I saw the old version of "The Importance of Being Earnest." It is absolutely hysterical!

The scene rises on two friends conversing. The elder, whose name appeares to be Ernest is talking about how he wishes to marry Gwendolyne, the other gentlmen, Algernon's, cousin. This conversation leads by means of a ciggarette lighter to the subject of both men's alter egos. "Ernest" is not really Ernest but Jack. In the country he goes by his real name of Jack but if a wish to go to town comes upon him he can simply say that his wild and wicked younger brother, Ernest has gotten into one of his scrapes and he must go to town. And Algernon has a "friend" whose name is slipping my mind, who has very bad health and he is constantly being called to the country to be with him.

The pair of gentlemen go to visit Algernon's aunt and her daughter Gwendolyne. While the ladies mother is absent Ernest, or perhaps we should call him Jack, somehow manages to propose to Gwendolyne and is warmly accepted by her but coldly refused by her mother who happens upon this love scene. Both Gwendolyne and Jack are deeply saddened by this news, but Gwendolyne recieves from her lover his country address in hopes that she could visit him. Unknown to both of them however is that Jack's clever friend, Algernon, has also managed to get the address. He uses his knowledge to masquerade as Jack's younger brother Ernest, and uses his temporary status to propose to Jack's charming ward, Cecily. All this leads to one of the funniest (if a bit far-fetched) climaxes I have ever seen.

My brief summary excludes almost all of the dialouge which is the funniest part of the movie. So you'll just have to watch it to hear it. And if you like comedy it will most likely be a very enjoyable experience.