Watch Wit

Wit is a heart-wrenching drama film from 2001 that stars Emma Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, and Eileen Atkins. Based on the play of the same name by Margaret Edson, the film follows renowned literature professor Vivian Bearing (Emma Thompson), who is diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer. The movie is a moving exploration of life, death, and the human condition.

The film begins with Vivian receiving the news of her diagnosis and being admitted to the hospital. She is very much the raging intellectual, with a love for literature and a certain disdain for those who are not as erudite as she is. The hospital becomes her home as she undergoes a series of rigorous chemotherapy treatments, leaving her physically and emotionally drained.

As she faces her mortality, Vivian is forced to reevaluate her life and the choices she has made. She finds herself reflecting on her academic career and the decisions she has made along the way. As a professor of 17th-century poetry, she had spent her life studying the intricate works of John Donne. However, she comes to realize that she had focused too much on the technicalities of the text and the scholarly pursuit of knowledge, rather than the human emotions behind the words.

Throughout her treatment, Vivian develops a close relationship with her nurse, Susie (Audra McDonald). Susie is a compassionate and caring person who goes out of her way to make Vivian's time in the hospital as comfortable as possible. Her kindness and empathetic nature help Vivian come to terms with her illness and the prospect of death.

The movie also explores the dehumanization of the hospital system, as Vivian becomes just another statistic to the doctors who treat her. She is constantly poked and prodded, and her privacy is invaded at every turn. She becomes increasingly isolated and comes to realize that death is a very isolating experience.

One of the key themes of the movie is the juxtaposition of life and death. Vivian had spent her life studying the intricacies of language and poetry, which revolve around the themes of life and death. However, when faced with her own mortality, she realizes that her academic pursuits were just that – pursuits. Ultimately, it is the relationships she has formed, the moments she has shared with others, and the memories she has made that truly matter.

Emma Thompson's performance in Wit is outstanding. She perfectly captures the nuances of Vivian's personality and portrays her with a raw emotional depth that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Christopher Lloyd delivers a standout performance as Vivian's oncologist, Dr. Kelekian. Eileen Atkins is also excellent as Vivian's mentor and former professor, E.M. Ashford.

Overall, Wit is a thought-provoking and moving film that offers a poignant exploration of the human condition. It is a beautifully crafted look at life, death, and everything in between. Although it deals with heavy subject matter, it offers a sense of hope and a reminder of the importance of human connections.

Wit is a 2001 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.