PARKER MANAGES AN 'EARNEST' ATTEMPT.

Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic

FILMMAKER Oliver Parker takes the title of his latest stage adaptation, ``The Importance of Being Earnest,'' a bit too literally, creating a purposefully sincere production that never quite comes to life. In his attempt to open up the classic Oscar Wilde play in much the same way he did with his last Wilde adaptation, ``An Ideal Husband,'' Parker has diluted the work's cleverness, turning it into a rather standard costume drama that's too tidy for its own good.

Those pining for a ``classic'' Miramax period piece won't likely be disappointed, though, not with the studio's stable of players - Rupert Everett, Colin Firth and Judi Dench among them - more or less reprising their past work in similar films. In fact, you need never have seen the fine 1952 Anthony Asquith version of ``Earnest'' or have seen the play on stage to feel enveloped in a cozy cocoon of deja vu while watching the movie.

For the uninitiated, ``Earnest'' follows two London dandies, both of whom have perfected the art of deception. Jack Worthing (Firth), who lives a simple life in the country, has invented a rogue brother named Ernest as an excuse to escape to the city and its more sophisticated pleasures. Algernon Moncrieff (Everett), meanwhile, has an imaginary friend himself, a sickly fellow named Bunbury who he must constantly visit in the hospital and therefore avoid any and all unpleasant social engagements.

Women (as is their habit) complicate things. Gwendolen (a fetching Frances O'Connor) loves Jack but knows him as Ernest. That's important because her ideal is to find someone with the ``divine'' name of Ernest. Algy has taken an interest in Cecily (Reese Witherspoon), Jack's sheltered niece. Jack doesn't approve, so Algy shows up at the country estate one day and puts his friend on the spot by claiming to be Jack's wayward brother, Ernest.

Wilde called his play a ``trivial comedy for serious people,'' but Parker has turned matters more sober than need be. Dench's character, the mother of Gwendolen who frowns upon Jack's intentions, is usually played for laughs, but here, Dame Judi turns her into yet another one of her commandingly stern terrors. Another comic element, the strange circumstances of Jack's abandonment, becomes a tale of woe instead of a clever amusement.

Other ideas are added with little effect. The movie begins with a chase scene that looks like it was lifted from a Sherlock Holmes story, and Parker awkwardly brings Cecily's journal fantasies to life in a manner more suited to a television commercial for designer perfume.

In fact, aside from a goofily charming musical number sung by Everett and Firth, it's hard to think of one way that Parker has improved the piece. And yet, to quote a dandy from a different era (the Big Lebowski), ``the Dude abides.'' Wilde's elegant dialogue, biting wit and clever plot are strong enough to overcome Parker's fussy ideas and busy camera work. Witherspoon shows she can charm in any time period, even if she can't work up any chemistry with Everett. Bottom line: More than a century after it was written, ``Earnest'' is still easy on the ears.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST - Two and one half stars

(Rated PG: mild sensuality)

Starring: Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O'Connor, Reese Witherspoon, Judi Dench.

Director: Oliver Parker.

Running time: 1 hr. 34 min.

Playing: Laemmle's Sunset 5 in West Hollywood; Laemmle's Royal in Santa Monica.

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Frances O'Connor, left, Colin Firth, Rupert Everett and Reese Witherspoon star in the latest film adaptation of Oscar Wilde's ``The Importance of Being Earnest.''