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:

Cancer | Professor | Doctor | Nurse | Ovarian Cancer

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:

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

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Avenue Pictures Productions

Trivia:

The film is often shown at medical colleges as an example of how doctors and researchers should not behave.

Goofs:

Continuity: During her exam with the young internist, her arms alternate repeatedly from being completely under the sheet, to being folded together on top of the sheet.

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:

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

Soundtrack:

2nd Movement

Fantastic! Emma Thompson is Fantastic in this role.

Although a sad movie with a sad ending it is absolutely wonderfully fascinating. It holds you glued to you your seat the entire time. For those who are critical, they just do't appreciate Mike Nichols and Emma Thompson's brilliance and are too affected by the subject of facing death. It is a pity that this was a telefilm. Has it been a theatrical release, it would easily have earned Emma Thompson an Oscar.

I thought that Gorecki's 3rd Symphony in the background was a brilliant touch. Christopher Lloyd as the doctor was excellent. Emma's Teacher reading Runaway Bunny at the end was touching and meaningful. Although some people might see this movie as a downer, it is an honest and important work dealing with life, goals, cancer, relationships, . . See it.