Having read and seen the original play "Lady Windemere's Fan", I had some expectations watching this movie, knowing Oscar Wilde to be one of the best playwrights throughout history and loving his wonderfully witty and marvelously studied dialogues, which perfectly mirror the society he was criticizing with his amazing play.
Unfortunately this movie is a complete failure. Not using the original text as a basis, as it seems, but rewriting it awfully badly the story has lost all it's charm and entertainment. Furthermore I dislike the fact that it has been chosen to make the Windemeres an American family and to place the whole story in Italy. This does not work at all, his plays being very British always. This does not mean it doesn't work out for non-Britains, but has to be situated there!
Even Scarlett Johannson, whom I really adore, can't save this movie. Lady Windemere doesn't fit her at all!
I recommend to watch the play on stage rather than to watch this film!
Unfortunately this movie is a complete failure. Not using the original text as a basis, as it seems, but rewriting it awfully badly the story has lost all it's charm and entertainment. Furthermore I dislike the fact that it has been chosen to make the Windemeres an American family and to place the whole story in Italy. This does not work at all, his plays being very British always. This does not mean it doesn't work out for non-Britains, but has to be situated there!
Even Scarlett Johannson, whom I really adore, can't save this movie. Lady Windemere doesn't fit her at all!
I recommend to watch the play on stage rather than to watch this film!