Movie Review - Wit
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- Date Submitted: 05/15/2011 06:05 PM
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Wit
Emma Thompson stars in this riveting movie based on a screenplay which won a 1999 Pulitzer Prize. Wit explores the emotions and challenges of an intellectual trying to fight a life-threatening illness. Furthermore, it shows the callous alienation of a patient by the heartless medical establishment. This wonderful film flows freely from the start with its intellectual satire and witty commentary.
English Professor Vivian Bearing (Emma Thompson) is a university professor specializing in 17th Century English Poetry. She is diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer by Dr. Kelekian (Christopher Lloyd), who suggests that long sessions of chemotherapy may help save her life. Vivian listens to the doctor as he convinces her that her treatment will not only save her life, but serve as a major contribution to cancer research. Vivian, still very much confused and horrified, gives in to the doctor’s persistence and signs the papers for treatment.
Vivian arrives at the hospital and finds out that her primary care physician is Jason Posner (Jonathan M. Woodward) a former student of hers. Their first meeting turns out amateurish and awkward with Posner rushing nervously through the exam. Posner, a young doctor, acts as if Vivian is a scientific experiment showing little interest in her emotional displeasure. He finishes the meeting by giving Vivian a degrading vaginal exam, after which he runs out of the room in what appears to be a shameful fit.
As the movie progresses, Vivian becomes severely sick. She is in constant pain and her physical condition dramatically declines. The only friend she has is her primary nurse Susie Monahan (Audra McDonald) and their bond gets stronger as Vivian’s health deteriorates. Susie is not an intellectual, but she is very friendly and cares about Vivian. Although they both come from different backgrounds, they enjoy each other’s friendship and learn a lot from each other.
Throughout the film Vivian engages the audience with anecdotes...
Emma Thompson stars in this riveting movie based on a screenplay which won a 1999 Pulitzer Prize. Wit explores the emotions and challenges of an intellectual trying to fight a life-threatening illness. Furthermore, it shows the callous alienation of a patient by the heartless medical establishment. This wonderful film flows freely from the start with its intellectual satire and witty commentary.
English Professor Vivian Bearing (Emma Thompson) is a university professor specializing in 17th Century English Poetry. She is diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer by Dr. Kelekian (Christopher Lloyd), who suggests that long sessions of chemotherapy may help save her life. Vivian listens to the doctor as he convinces her that her treatment will not only save her life, but serve as a major contribution to cancer research. Vivian, still very much confused and horrified, gives in to the doctor’s persistence and signs the papers for treatment.
Vivian arrives at the hospital and finds out that her primary care physician is Jason Posner (Jonathan M. Woodward) a former student of hers. Their first meeting turns out amateurish and awkward with Posner rushing nervously through the exam. Posner, a young doctor, acts as if Vivian is a scientific experiment showing little interest in her emotional displeasure. He finishes the meeting by giving Vivian a degrading vaginal exam, after which he runs out of the room in what appears to be a shameful fit.
As the movie progresses, Vivian becomes severely sick. She is in constant pain and her physical condition dramatically declines. The only friend she has is her primary nurse Susie Monahan (Audra McDonald) and their bond gets stronger as Vivian’s health deteriorates. Susie is not an intellectual, but she is very friendly and cares about Vivian. Although they both come from different backgrounds, they enjoy each other’s friendship and learn a lot from each other.
Throughout the film Vivian engages the audience with anecdotes...