Third screen adaptation of Oscar Wilde's comedy of errors (the first being the classic 1952 version with Michael Redgrave and the second being the US version made in 1992). Algernon Moncrieff (Rupert Everett) has discovered that he has a secret in common with his friend Jack Worthing (Colin Firth) - they both use alter-egos when in a tight spot. However, when Algernon decides to pose as Jack's alter-ego - a brother Earnest from London - for a weekend in the country, he finds that Jack's ward Cicely (Reese Witherspoon) has developed an infatuation with the mysterious brother; and now she hasn finally met him. Meanwhile, Algernon's cousin Gwendolyne (Frances O'Connor) is also staying for the weekend and knows Jack as his alter-ego. And Gwendolyne's mother, the stern Lady Bracknell (Judi Dench) has to be convinced to give her blessing to the blossoming romances. Confused?