Mike Nichols has always impressed me, and Wit is ,I think, one of his best films. it's a totally real story, and watching the changes in this one character was beyond powerful. it's unfortunate that there are no other post about it.
currency and idiocy are man's greatest sins.
Cannot agree more with the above. Truly a great piece of work, beyond powerful sums it up perfectly.
shareGreat film, powerful to say the least, more people should see this, cannot speak highly enough about it.
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I was profoundly moved by this movie. I laughed and cried and found it to be all I could want from a 'watchers experience'. I applaud Mike Nichols and Emma Thompson for their talents!
shareI cried so much but is is a true story?
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jesus loves me fine
but his words fall flat this time
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I wish to say that I also cried my eyes out and could not stop. It was one of the most saddest moments in all of film history, this film is a must see for all, merely for the humbling nature of it.
Bravo to the lead actress, she deserved all she got and more in awards from the film.
you obviously don't remember that in one of the greatest injustices in Emmy history Judy Davis won the lead actress category on 2001 for her lame portrayal of Judy Garland! Emma Thompson who gave one of the great performances of the milleniun was ignored by Emmy voters! thats why you can't give any creedence to these awards.
shareAbsolutely, and for that very reason I do not watch any award shows, they are, for the most part, fake and fixed, seems ot be that one just has to "buy" and Oscar by trowing money into a production. Not always teh case of course, but it is so fixed.
Sir Nigel Hawthorne deserved an Oscar for hos portrayal of "Mad" King George, but just before the ceremony it was "leaked" by someone that he was gay. An intensely private man, he was shocked that people could talk about someone in such a way behind their back. It was done to ruin is chances and the bas"·$ds succeded!
He deserved that! Glad he was Knighted!
Regards, James
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Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death - A. Einstein
Maybe not true specifically, but generally... isn't what happened in the movie so true about so many people everyday... incredibly profound movie...
I think one of the most moving scenes for me in the entire movie was when the Vivian is mostly unable to speak and the doctor comes in with the the nurse and they are discussing Vivian as such a wonderful teacher and he is describing to the nurse all about the complexities of Dr. Bearing's work in Donne's sonets. It absolutely struck me how incredible the message of this scene was. The doctor even in this discussion with the nurse was still (almost purposely) disconnected from the reality of what was happening to his old professor. He discusses the 'salvation anxiety' of the literal genre and is a reflection really of what Vivian was when she was young, on a search for knowledge to answer questions that really are not always answered in the complex things, but in the simple.
After the doctor leaves, the nurse closes the curtains and takes some hand cream and begins to care for Vivian. Incredibly moving.
This nurse understood. The doctor still ignored the reality of the suffering that was around him. What was most amazing to me about this is that the nurse just smiles and lets him leave the room. She doesn't yell at him and say.. "you heartless piece of crap, can't you see what's happening" No, she just smiles... I realized that earlier in the movie, the nurse didn't show nearly as much care for Vivian. Not until she was ready to receive such care, when she was broken and came to realize how weak she was. The nurse really plays a Christ-like character and doesn't force her care or wisdom upon anybody, but rather gives it when people are ready. So, the doctor leaves and she doesn't reveal the reality of the situation to him. It's incredible.
i am not very emotional when it comes to movies, i hardley ever cry when i see them, but i cried my eyes out in that scene.
amazing.
I was looking in the drama section for Wuthering Heights and I came across Wit. I remember it being mentioned at the Golden Globes a few years ago and how I always wanted to see it. Emma Thompson is one of my favorite actresses and she was positively brilliant in this film.
shareAll very true - an intense moment for sure, but if you look at that scene again, you will find an even deeper confirmation of her statement regarding simplicity.
Vivian began crying once she saw her professor came to visit. She cried not only because of her suffering but, undoubtedly because of Jason's earlier-mentioned "salvation anxiety" (during the catheter scene). When the professor came to the first big illustration she said, "Look at that. A little allegory of the soul. Where ever it hides, God will find it. See Vivian?" At that moment Vivian understands that her salvation is guaranteed and you see her relax and fall back to sleep.
So many years spent studying Donne's poetry had made her fear her own death. Only during her final hours was she able to solve that puzzle. So simple after all. This movie brings me back to my literature classes - always digging deeper and deeper only to find hidden links all throughout the movie. Wonderful!!!
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Getting ready to stage the piece. Cast is set. First get together next week. If any reader has directed or acted in this play, please tell me of your experience. Come on down to Southern Maryland in January and see WIT come alive. check out ptplayers.org David
shareI definately agree with what you all are saying. This is such a powerfull movie and I wish I could buy it somewhere. For this to be such a great movie, I dont understand why it didnt get 10 out of 10 stars.
shareyes, it is well done.
he seems to either nail it, or miss bad.
with this one he nails it.
I have to say I have never cried more than with this movie. In the first screening where the cast and crew saw it, there apparently wasn't a dry eye in the house. The film so perfectly manages to let you see the harsh reality of cancer with amazing and powerful imagery that would not let me forget this film in a long time. I would advise anyone to watch this, though not without a box of tissues ready at hand.
share3:00 a.m. and was incredibly moved by "Wit." 10 out of 10! Profoundly moved is the cliche, I guess. Everything about the movie was perfect. I can't beleve that it was created for TV. What on earth is the deal with the TOTAL CRAP put out by the major networks these days: "sit-coms" with pre-recorded laugh tracks. Ugh! I work in a Hospital (public relations department) and one of my best friends at work is a chemotherapy nurse. She sees this sort of thing most every day, I suppose. There is also a long term care center (nursing home) in our hospital. It's not just cancer, but old age that bring tough people like Dr. Bearing to their knees, face-to-face with the eternal. Unlike an earlier comment (above), I think Christopher Lloyd was perfect for the role -- professional, like cardboard. Sometimes I wonder what it must be like to be a surgeon. How can you just look at another human being without seeing their inner organs? Same thing with a research doctor, I suspect. Strange that Jason never said anything so appreciative about her (Dr. Bearing) while she was still alive and relatively vital. The compassion, patience, and understanding of the nurse was simply incredible. Yes, she didn't push her care (or caring) on Dr. Bearing. She was perfect.... saving it for when it was really needed, then not too much, just the right amount. I thought the movie was over when Dr. Bearing's former professor came to visit. I kept thinking, is she deceased -- an angel -- and is she going to take Bearing away with her to heaven? What an incredibly profound side we see of the great grandmother and mother, too, to her pupil, when the pupil is in greatest time of need. Did Bearing have any relationships, or was she simply a "loner" -- no husband or children, unlike her Donne professor? Also, who turned out the lights in her house? What happened to her worldly possessions? But, never mind all those trivial details. Someone said the movie went on about 5 minutes too long .. but I don't agree. Humbling indeed the empty vessel that is left behind after death and how insensitively it can be treated by some hospital staff. Yet, so caringly by others. (Off the point, were those really Emma Thompson's boobs, or a body double's -- if Emma's own, then another great tribute to her interpretive skills.) Incredibly thought-provoking, between the rather detached poetry of John Donne and the reality of life (and death) in a hospital setting. I was moved to write a poem, and I think it's one of the best I've ever written -- mostly by merit of the fact that it is so short ... am hoping that my line spacing and punctuation will be reproduced in this comment form:
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AFTER "WIT"
What are we after all but ants,
on a stage,
strutting about,
scurrying.
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Emma Thompson was brilliant and her performance made this film riveting. We go through Life thinking we are invincible, but to suffer with Cancer, that is a Real and Hard hitting truth many face.You see Vivian struggling and trying to keep a positive Spirit, but in the end, she gives in and lets go.
shareAMAZING! iv'e seen it again after a year and i still thinks it's amazing.
I've got a question: when jason examins her for the first time is she a vergin ? cause it looks like that.
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>>I've got a question: when jason examins her for the first time is she a vergin ? cause it looks like that. >>
I took his "omigod!" to be a comment on the size of the tumor, not as a sign of virginity.
All during the movie, every time the doctors came into the room to examine Vivian, I kept thinking how I would "flunk" their bedside manner, if it were graded. But I guess that's the point --- stay detached so you can survive as a doctor, but it really bothered me.
The movie was "bloody brill!" as the British say.
Yes, one of the truly great films and one of the truly great performances of all time. After watching WIT, I had to wait a full fifteen minutes before being able to rise from my chair. Absolutely stunning!
You know, I have always suspected the number of children who inflict pain and discomfort on small animals is the same number as those who grow up to become physicians.
Writing about movies is like dancing about architecture
I concur with all the praise dished out here.... One thing, Mike Nichols directed _Wit_ when he was 70... then did _Angels in America_ when he was 72. Wow. We should all be so productive at such an age (at any age)! Anyhow, I know Bunuel had a great late career like this - _Tristana_ when he was 70 and so on... But it's rare to say the least.
shareall the posts concerning this film are so enlightening. only a handful of films have truly made me reflect upon viewing and this is one of them. to go on about emma thompson's brilliant performance is mute, already done and i couldnt add more. i love her work, she encompasses a true gift and always is topnotch in her craft. i love to watch it with a friend who has never seen it and watch him/her and their response and then talk about it.
shareI love how this is such a philosophical movie. Everyone can take something different out of it. It is a truly great movie that can do that. I really admire how this film can teach you about many different subjects, if you only let it. Bravo, WIT!
Death is a comma. A pause.
Being the one who started this thread (there were no others), I am absolutely thrilled that there are others out there who can appreciate the beauty, grace, and brilliance that is "WIT". I thought for a while that I may be the only one who was not only touched, but changed by this film. Good to know that there are still thoughtful and heartfelt people left in this shell of a world that we live in. I guess I'm trying to thank all of you who posted for giving me hope that there are still people like you around.
currency and idiocy are man's greatest sins.