Wit (2001)

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

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers:

Margaret Edson (play), Emma Thompson (teleplay)

Stars:

Emma Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, Eileen Atkins

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 11 wins & 19 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Based on the Margaret Edson play, Vivian Bearing is a literal, hardnosed English professor who has been diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. During the story, she reflects on her reactions to the cycle the cancer takes, the treatments, and significant events in her life. The people that watch over her are Jason Posner, who only finds faith in being a doctor; Susie Monahan, a nurse with a human side that is the only one in the hospital that cares for Vivian's condition; and Dr. Kelekian, the head doctor who just wants results no matter what they are.

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Plot Keywords:

medical drama | existentialism | cancer | professor | doctor | 

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Taglines:

It appears to be a matter of life and death.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some thematic material

Details

Official Sites:

e-Pipoca - synopsis, gallery, trailer [Brazil] (Portuguese)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 March 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

W;t

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Avenue Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

To prepare for the role, Emma Thompson shaved her head, following in the footsteps of Kathleen Chalfant and Judith Light, who performed the role of Vivian Bearing on stage.

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Goofs

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

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Quotes

E.M. Ashford: Do you think that the punctuation of the last line of this sonnet is merely an insignificant detail? The sonnet begins with a valiant struggle with Death calling on all the forces of intellect and drama to vanquish the enemy. But it is ultimately about overcoming the seemingly insuperable barriers separating life death and eternal life. In the edition you choose, this profoundly simple meaning is sacrificed to hysterical punctuation.
E.M. Ashford: And Death, Capital D, shall be no more, semi-colon. Death, ...
[...]

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Connections

Featured in The 59th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2002)

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Soundtracks

2nd Movement
from Gorecki's Symphony No. 3
(Symphony of Sorrowful Songs)
Written by Henryk Mikolaj Górecki (as Henryk Gorecki)
Courtesy of Nonesuch Records
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

movie critique

Magnificent film. Very funny no matter of the serious subject. Emma deserved the Emmy and Golden Globe. What a pity that this movie was made only for TV. Her acting is superb. And she also write the screenplay with the excellent Mike Nichols who also gave HBO Angels in America this year. The story of a college professor who has cancer and find's out that people need some personal attention in life. When Demi Moore shaved her head, we've got G.I. Jane, when Emma Thompson did the same, we've got one of the best TV movies in recent history. The story with familiar theme with no clichés and no overly emotions. Very powerful and nicely done. A real masterpiece in the simplicity.