Movie_Review_-_Wit

Wit Emma Thompson stars in this riveting movie based on a screenplay which won a 1999 Pulitzer Prize. Wit explores the emotions and challenges of an intellectual trying to fight a life-threatening illness. Furthermore, it shows the callous alienation of a patient by the heartless medical establishment. This wonderful film flows freely from the start with its intellectual satire and witty commentary. English Professor Vivian Bearing (Emma Thompson) is a university professor specializing in 17th Century English Poetry. She is diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer by Dr. Kelekian (Christopher Lloyd), who suggests that long sessions of chemotherapy may help save her life. Vivian listens to the doctor as he convinces her that her treatment will not only save her life, but serve as a major contribution to cancer research. Vivian, still very much confused and horrified, gives in to the doctor’s persistence and signs the papers for treatment. Vivian arrives at the hospital and finds out that her primary care physician is Jason Posner (Jonathan M. Woodward) a former student of hers. Their first meeting turns out amateurish and awkward with Posner rushing nervously through the exam. Posner, a young doctor, acts as if Vivian is a scientific experiment showing little interest in her emotional displeasure. He finishes the meeting by giving Vivian a degrading vaginal exam, after which he runs out of the room in what appears to be a shameful fit. As the movie progresses, Vivian becomes severely sick. She is in constant pain and her physical condition dramatically declines. The only friend she has is her primary nurse Susie Monahan (Audra McDonald) and their bond gets stronger as Vivian’s health deteriorates. Susie is not an intellectual, but she is very friendly and cares about Vivian. Although they both come from different backgrounds, they enjoy each other’s friendship and learn a lot from each other. Throughout the film Vivian engages the audience with anecdotes about her life before she was diagnosed with cancer. She is utterly perplexed by the fact that the medical system, to which she entrusted her life, cares less about her and more about the disease that plagues her. She correlates these feelings to her own callousness and reflects on how cruel she treated her students. As her condition worsens, Vivian starts to have vivid hallucinations where she relives her childhood and other past experiences. Eventually, Vivian decides that if she dies she does not want to be brought back to life. As she passes, Posner attempts to revive her against her wishes, however, Susie is there to stop the attempt and Vivian passes away. Although this film will leave you crying, it’s a must see. All the actors preformed wonderfully and the script flowed from the beginning. I highly recommend seeing Wit, for it shows another side of humanity not seen every day. Wit will make you ask yourself, “Can this happen to me'”