Wit (2001) (TV)

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers (WGA):

Margaret Edson (play)
Emma Thompson (teleplay) ...

Release Date:

24 March 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

It appears to be a matter of life and death.

Plot:

A renowned professor is forced to reassess her life when she is diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer.

Plot Keywords:

Terminal Illness | Breaking The Fourth Wall | Cancer | Chemotherapy | Death

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 9 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Emma Thompson	...	Vivian Bearing
Christopher Lloyd	...	Dr. Harvey Kelekian
Eileen Atkins	...	Evelyn 'E.M.' Ashford
Audra McDonald	...	Susie Monahan
Jonathan M. Woodward	...	Dr. Jason Posner
Harold Pinter	...	Mr. Bearing (Vivian's Father)
Rebecca Laurie	...	Vivian aged 5
Su Lin Looi	...	Nurse (as Su-Lin Looi)
Raffaello Degruttola	...	Technician 1
Miquel Brown	...	Technician 2
Hari Dhillon	...	Fellow 1 (as Harry Dillon)
Benedict Wong	...	Fellow 2
Alex Gregor	...	Fellow 3
Lachele Carl	...	Fellow 4
David Menkin	...	Student 1

Also Known As:

W;t (USA) (alternative spelling)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some thematic material.

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:K-3 | Australia:PG (TV rating) | Iceland:12 | USA:PG-13 | Australia:M | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Avenue Pictures Productions

Goofs:

The size of Vivian's and Susie's popsicles.

Quotes:

Vivian Bearing: This is my play's last scene Here... Heavens appoint my pilgrimage's last mile And my race Idly, yet quickly run Hath this last pace My span's last inch My minute's last point And gluttonous death Will instantly unjoint my body and soul" John Donne... I've always particularly liked that poem. In the abstract. Now I find the image of my minute's last point, a little too, shall we say...

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Saved! (2004)

Soundtrack:

Spiegel im Spiegel

Without a Flaw

So often one leaves the theater or presses re-wind with a thought taking the form of, "That was a really good film, but..." At the end of "Wit," I could not find a qualifier to complete that thought, and I still cannot. This film is a piece of perfection, tightly fitted but not contrived; dramatic without overstatement; and deeply moving without sentimentality.

It also comprises a tour-de-force performance by Emma Thompson, an actor whose performances are almost always extraordinary -- so the fact that this one stands out says a lot.

The dialogue (and monologue) is amusing, minimalistic but never too little, and is always sufficient to the scene. There is plenty of irony, wry humor, and understated insight; and yet the film, stark as it is, is abundantly human and, in places, even sweet.

At the height of the grinding sorrow that Thompson so skillfully brings us into, a startling scene between her old academic mentor is a loving act of redemption, shared by them both.

As an additional note, the surprising appearance of Christopher Lloyd in this film, as the research oncologist, provides a perfect foil for Vivian's role as a patient and as an academician. Lloyd's performance is convincing, and yet it contains just enough of eccentricity and kindness to make his character's disinterested role entirely sympathetic.

A wonderful film. Not -- be warned -- an easy film to watch, but decidedly worth it.