Algernon Movie And Play Comparison Essay

The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde's last and most famous play was introduced in London on the 14 February, 1895. Most of Oscar Wilde's works of fiction have been made into films, some of them more than once. In 2002 Oscar Wilde's play was dramatised into a modern equivalent, offering viewers a copy that differs on very few points from the original drama. This film was directed by Oliver Parker, who also wrote the screenplay. Notably, Algernon is portrayed as the older brother in the movie; however in the play Jack is identified as the older of the two.

When a film based on a literary piece does not attempt to change its core attributes, it can be expected that the director has attempted to convey the meaning as close to the original
style as possible. Parker's film does not seem to have any intention of reshaping any part of the content or the message. This is a positive outcome as fans and viewers are not constantly bombarded with new terminology and the added input of new meanings. Furthermore, with new and improved technology we can now experience the play with the additional advantages of modern cinematography.

In order to produce a sound replica of the original play two key factors need to be emphasised.
The spirit of a Wilde comedy is fostered foremost by verbose, witty and often oxymoronic language. Secondly, Wilde attempts to take a critical view of Victorian society and individuals. These important factors cannot be separated from one another as they are both required to engender the original spirit of Oscar Wilde's dialogue.

As far lines are concerned, the script of the movie only differs in very few instances from the original play. Most of those significant differences result in acts from the play being cut down into several shorter, more manageable scenes. This adds liveliness and suspense. This modification makes good use of the fact that the viewers do not have to wait for the props to be rearranged in order to see another scene in another setting.

In The Importance of being Earnest, the plot and characters become so intertwined that besides the linguistic humour, we are also bombarded by the situational comedy presented. Most memorable perhaps, was the confusion of the identity of two gentlemen (Jack, pretending to be Ernest in London and Algernon pretending to be Earnest in the
country).

To help convey a critical emphasis of on late Victorian society; both language and situational based humour serve as tools.
We can infer Wilde's view from Lady Bracknell's words: “The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square."(Act I) These words infer the wealth, status and fashion of Victorian London, and the fear the upper classes had for the poor.

The film effectively characterises Lady Bracknell by showing us her situation. Through John Worthing's eyes, we visit her enormous palace; walk up an extremely wide staircase covered in a blood-red carpet, among the marble pillars, and under walls cramped with priceless paintings. We pass dozens of servants going about their business before entering a set of immense doors to be confronted by Lady Bracknell, “with pen in hand, a little bell and glass of water at arms reach; ready for interrogation.” In the original play theses events took place in Algernon's London
home.

The makers of the film have also introduced additional images; attempting to be funnier than one would expect. These added images include Cecily's daydreaming of the Prince in shining armour; Gwendolyn riding a ‘chuffing and puffing write-off’ from London to John's country town; Lady Bracknell's residence and the memorable scene in which John and Algernon sing "Lady Come Down" while asking for forgiveness. Ironically, at the end of the movie in between the credit lines we watch the entire cast attend Banbury's funeral.

The movie and the play are both fairly similar in terms of structure, dialogue and content. The movie offers viewers a commendable portrayal of the original play. The spirit of a Wilde comedy is fostered by witty, numerous and often oxymoronic dialogue. Also, he tries to offer us a critical view of Victorian society and individuals. In conclusion the movie is a good representation of the book and offers a complimentary visual of the script.