The Importance of Being Earnest

Between the constant churn of new releases, The Importance of Being Earnest in the US on Criterion Channel and Darkroom, and in the UK on ITVX Premium is the comedy actually worth stopping for. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. Its 7/10 TMDB score, built from 126 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Michael Redgrave sets the tone, and the rest of the cast matches it scene for scene. Start it on Criterion Channel whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

The Importance of Being Earnest arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate The Importance of Being Earnest from the crowd. Two young gentlemen living in 1890s England use the same pseudonym ('Ernest') on the sly, which is fine until they both fall in love with women using that name, which leads to a comedy of mistaken identities. Between them, Michael Redgrave and Michael Denison carry the comedy without ever forcing it. The Importance of Being Earnest came out in 1952. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and The Importance of Being Earnest holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, The Importance of Being Earnest is a strong candidate. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Michael Redgrave is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.

The Importance of Being Earnest was released in 1952, directed by Anthony Asquith. The full 95-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.