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Wit

Wit

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Customer Reviews

too passionless and didactic

Rating: 2/5

The most moving scene for me is close to the end when the extraordinary actress (Eileen Atkins?) reads a children's book, THE RUNAWAY BUNNY, to the dying Dr. Vivian Bearing. But much as I love the poetry of John Donne (and I do), I found the endless quoting of his work all through the movie to be passionless, intrusive, and didactic. Too many points were too self-consciously made, although the routine inhumanity of hospitals was very well evoked and many of the minor actors were terrific. Particularly impressive (along with Eileen Atkins) was the doctor in the opening scene who gives the stiffly academic Dr. Bearing the bad news. This actor was Christopher Lloyd, I think. A cameo appearance was also made by the late Harold Pinter, who was just fine in the role. An actress with the luminosity of Liv Ullman would have been amazing as Dr. Bearing, and so,in fact, would Eileen Atkins at a younger age, but Emma Thompson (to me, at least, and at least in this movie) gives a shallow one-note performance. Her body language is excellent (getting on and off stretchers, throwing up) but the more emotional aspects of her performance are memorable above all for their lack of spiritual intensity.

Elisabeth Harvor

Powerful, Brilliant, Heartfelt

Rating: 5/5

There are so many fine reviews here that another detailed commentary isn't needed. The film inspired some wonderful comments. I just want to add my five star vote.

The idea is brilliant, the script, written by Thompson and Mike Nichols is brilliant, the acting and directing are all brilliant.

I can't imagine another actress doing what Thompson does here!! The supporting cast is excellent. Eileen Atkins, as Thompson's teacher, will bring tears to the hardest heart in what has to be one of the most moving scenes in all of film-dom. I wished the movie had ended there, but it didn't and we had to see the final installment of the dehumanizing treatment by the clueless hospital staff. Unfortunately this is a reality in our world. Hopefully movies like this may make their way into medical training to help things along.

This isn't a movie for the faint hearted or for those who want mindless diversion. But if you do choose to see it, you might be a better person.

Worth watching

Rating: 3/5

This movie is a requirement for one of my nursing classes. Although, it is exaggerated (for effect), the desensitization displayed by the medical employees makes the movie relevant for those of us in healthcare.

The theme is somewhat overstated and dramatized, not much subtly to the movie, still I enjoyed the movie. Certainly preferred it over other classroom assignments.

Wit by Emma Thompson

Rating: 5/5

Emma Thompson portrayed the challenges of getting treated for Cancer in a very thought provoking manner in Wit. I believe all medical students need to view this film. As someone who has completed Chemotherapy and radiation, it was satisfying to hear the inner conversation as the character journeyed through the treatment and life.

There are no words, but having said that

Rating: 5/5

There are no words that can express my feelings about this film, but having said that, this is one of the - maybe THE most moving films I have ever seen and definitely one of the most magnificent performances I have ever seen, Emma Thompson's. The spareness, the pace - both of which some other reviewers have commented on - seem to reflect, paradoxically, the experience of what is being faced - and as the character, Professor Bearing, comes to say: simplicity. Yet the story and the experience are anything but 'simplicity'. Profound, deeply thought provoking, comforting, rich, eloquent - and yet there are no words, as she also says at one point, even though words have meant so much to her. The comma in John Donne's poem - I think the lines that reflect on that are some of the most - affecting I've ever heard. One of the most moving scenes ever viewed in a film is the one where Professor Bearing's nurse played so wonderfully by Audra MacDonald rubs lotion on Professor Bearing's hands; so moving I wasn't sure I could bear it. This film is just extraordinary in every way and I wish I knew that Ms.Thompson, Mr. Nichols, Ms. McDonald, Ms. Edson, et al. could know how much it meant to my husband and me to watch it. John Donne, whose poetry was a subject in another of my favorite films - 84 Charing Cross Road - was done proud. I am grateful for the existence of this film.