The Importance of Being Earnest is already well-known to Oscar Wilde fans but Oliver Parker, director of a new screen version of the play, is hoping to bring it to a wider audience.

The film has an all-star cast that includes Dame Judi Dench, Colin Firth, Rupert Everett, Reece Witherspoon and Frances O'Connor.

"The film will certainly appeal to anyone unfamiliar with Wilde and may be a breath of fresh air for those who have seen the play many times," wrote BBC News Online's Matthew Davis.

But what did you think?

This debate is now closed. Please see below for a selection of your comments.

It preserves the spirit of Wilde's play, but I regret the loss of some cherished lines from the original.
Doramae O'Kelley, USA

I remembered the play from my school days so wasn't going to bother to watch the film but I'm so glad I did. I will plead ignornance of youth in my defence for previously dismissing the play as boring! All the cast gave excellent performances and I was hooked from start to finish. I personally think it proves yet again that you don't have to incorporate gratuitous sex/violence and the latest computer grahics to make a widely appealling film, just good acting/script and direction. My only mild criticism would be that Judy Dench's hats and dresses were a bit too OTT!
Philippa, UAE

First of all, the good parts. This film had an excellent cast, and even though I'm not a fan of Colin Firth I think he and Rupert Everett made an excellent duo. Reese Witherspoon was also surprisingly convincing as a young English Rose, and Judi Dench was (as usual) immaculate. Perhaps more importantly for a Wilde play, all the famous lines were delivered excellently.

However, with the exception of one or two touches, I was very disappointed with the liberties that were taken with the story and the setting. The tattooing scene was totally unnecessary and not at all in keeping with the period of the play. As for the "insight" into Lady Bracknell's past, it was both out-of-character and pointless.

In short, provided with an excellent cast and a big budget, the creators decided to change certain elements of the film in the belief that it would increase the appeal to the modern audience. Given that this has happened in nearly every film adaptation that I have ever seen (even Lord of the Rings), I shouldn't be surprised or disappointed, but I am.
John Kearney, UK

Word of advice. If you haven't seen it yet - it is a great production, incidentally - don't pass judgment on this film until you've viewed the earlier version with the late Sir Michael Redgrave. The latter is still better, in my opinion.
Robert del Valle, USA

The screen version of The Importance of Being Earnest is brilliant. I think it does help to reach wider audiences and expose the uninitiated to Oscar Wilde. Dench, Everett, Firth and Witherspoon are all excellent and play Wilde's characters "to the T".
Sarah, Canada

The work has always been correctly described as "witty, brilliant, light, and very funny" and the film retains all this, but I think that this production can add "whimsical and just plain fun" to all the rest! Absolutely delightful! Excellent cast, gorgeous costumes and settings, and (if you've paid attention to the research done by Oliver Parker), surprisingly true to the era it was set in (about 10 years after OW's set date.) Go, sit back and enjoy!
Karen J., USA

Both my husband and I loved the movie. It brought fresh air into what can be a sometimes stale play. I have seen it many times before and found this version very resfreshing - all the actors in my opinion did very well - but Colin Firth was specially good.
Anne Hale, Australia

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie as did all the others that were there. The comments were very positive. A delight!
Marie Markiewicz, USA

Excellent cast, excellent movie. Absolutely loved the Colin Firth and Rupert Everett chemistry. A refreshing movie for a change. Thank you Oliver Parker. Thank you Colin Firth and Rupert Everett for your lovely duet. Thank you all the cast and Ealing.
Sylvia, Canada

A breath of fresh air with a wonderful cast, gorgeous costumes and locales... and of course Oscar Wilde's wit preserved. I highly recommend it!
Frances, USA

Doesn't work. The text is trifled with, lines lost and with them the whole spirit of the work. Dench is wrong and sleepwalks through the part. Her invented background would never have happened: it is too false to work. Bracknell arrives in the country by car but plans to leave by train! Go figure. The secret of the play is speed and lightness, both missing in this reality based version. Wilde needs artificiality to work. A real mess.
Brian, Australia

Both myself and my daughter thoroughly enjoyed this adaptation. I already knew the story and was therefore dismayed and disappointed at the "fantasy scenes" which at times seemed surreal. The director's licence to adapt the film however proves that it is possible to turn a short play (which in all truthfulness it is) and make it into a successful 97 minute film.

The scenery, acting, costumes and sublime mockery of the social etiquette of the era make this a truly wonderful film to see. In particular do not miss the escapade of Colin Firth and Rupert Everett serenading their young loves. A TRUE MASTERPIECE OF CINEMA PHOTOGRAPHY.
Jane Thomason, England

Brian, I would guess she needed a lift to and from the station.... Beautifully acted by all involved, with the famous lines well delivered. An excellent evening's entertainment.
Louise, Scotland

An absolute gem of a film, I was slightly apprehensive about the changes made to the ending but I was pleasantly surprised with the way it turned out. Five Stars.
Richard Orton, Scotland