Wit (film)

Infobox Film
name = Wit


image_size =
caption =
director = Mike Nichols
producer = Simon Bosanquet
writer = Margaret Edson (play)
Emma Thompson
Mike Nichols
narrator =
starring =
music = Henryk Górecki
Dmitri Shostakovich
Arvo Pärt
cinematography =
editing =
distributor = HBO Films
released = 2001
runtime = 98 min.
country = UK / U.S.
language = English
budget =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id = 1:238204
imdb_id = 0243664

"Wit" is a 2001 HBO television movie based on the 1998 play "Wit" by Margaret Edson. Directed by Mike Nichols, and with the screenplay adaptation by Nichols and Emma Thompson, [cite news | author=Caryn James | title=Death, Mighty Thou Art; So Too, a Compassionate Heart | url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9504E7DA173CF930A15750C0A9679C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all | work=The New York Times | date=23 March 2001 | accessdate=2008-04-05] the movie features Thompson in the lead role of Vivian Bearing. In preparation for the role, Thompson shaved her head, in keeping with other actresses such as Kathleen Chalfant and Judith Light who have performed the role on stage. [cite news | author=Sarah Lyall | title=For "Wit", a Star Who Supplies A Wit of Her Own | url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00E7DD1E3AF93BA25750C0A9679C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all | work=The New York Times | date=18 March 2001 | accessdate=2008-04-05]

ynopsis

Vivian Bearing is a professor of English literature, whose classes are known for their brevity and her intense knowledge of metaphysical poetry, especially the Holy Sonnets of John Donne. Her life takes a turn when she is diagnosed with metastatic Stage IV ovarian cancer. Her oncologist, Dr Harvey Kelekian, prescribes various chemotherapy treatments to treat her disease. As she suffers through the various side-effects (such as fever, chills, vomiting, and abdominal pain), she attempts to put everything in perspective. The story periodically flashes back to previous moments in her life, including her childhood, her graduate school studies, and her career before her diagnosis. During the course of the film, Vivian continually looks into the camera to narrate her feelings, breaking the fourth wall.

As she grows increasingly ill, she agrees to undergo more tests and experimental treatments, even though she learns that the doctors treating her, including a former student in her class, Jason Posner, see her less as someone to save and more as a guinea pig for their treatments. The only person who seems to have any care for Vivian is Susie Monahan, one of the nurses. Late in Vivian's sickness, the only visitor she receives in the hospital is her graduate school professor, Dr EM Ashford. Towards the end of her life, Vivian realizes that kindness is something she should have exhibited to more people. In her time of greatest need, she learns that human compassion was of more profound importance than intellectual wit.

Critical reception

Although the film had a few detractors, it was met with much acclaim. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun Times named "Wit" the eighth best film of 2001. “It reminded me just how strong movies can be”, Ebert wrote of the film. Critics from The New York Times, USA Today , TV Guide, The San Francisco Chronicle, New York (magazine), The Los Angeles Times, Variety (magazine), The A.V. Club, The Seattle Times, and The Hollywood Reporter also highly praised the film and its performances. Mike Nichols' shrewd direction was lauded in many reviews as well.

Awards

"Wit" was nominated two Golden Globe awards in 2002, and won three Emmy Awards in 2001 (Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special, Outstanding Made for Television Movie and Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special).

Cast

* Emma Thompson - Vivian Bearing, PhD
* Christopher Lloyd - Dr Harvey Kelekian
* Eileen Atkins - Evelyn 'EM' Ashford
* Audra McDonald - Susie Monahan, RN
* Jonathan M. Woodward - Dr Jason Posner
* Harold Pinter - Mr Bearing, Vivian's father

References

External links

*imdb title|id=0243664|name=Wit
*amg title|id=|title=Wit