This literal translation to the screen of Wilde's play is rather stiffly acted, but otherwise presents it well. As for the play itself, Wilde indulges in his usual caustic and cynical quips about the life he saw around him in late Victorian England, so it can be called a comedy. That's in the same sense that Chekov called his plays comedies, and Saroyan called one of his "The Human Comedy". The difference is that Wilde didn't mind putting in a lot of "yucks" in his plays. But here, also, there is a sense of bitterness not found in, say, "The Importance of Being Ernest". Well, at least, he provided a "happy ending" for everyone, unconvincing as it may seem, but then "Mrs. Erlynne" was very clever as well as good.
Review of Lady Windermere's Fan
