Wit (2001): A renowned professor is forced to reassess her life when she is diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. (8.0)
Director: Mike Nichols
Writers: Margaret Edson (play), Emma Thompson / Mike Nichols (teleplay)
Stars: Emma Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, Eileen Atkins, Audra McDonald, Jonathan M. Woodward
A wonderful and poignant movie about death and the process of dying. Adapted from a play, they have decided to have the main character speak directly to the camera instead of using voice-over or a narrator. That works powerfully well by including the audience in the journey. The use of the current character in the current form in the past scenes, and vice versa, add to the storytelling. The topic of death is looked at in various forms and in different points of view. The use of John Donne's sonnet Death, be not proud as the central theme makes you wonder if the movie is really about the sonnet. This is also an eye opening look at the health care industrial complex in this country. Great performances by all the main actors, especially so by Emma Thompson. I very highly recommend this one. (I watched it twice in the same day because it is so witty, funny, sad, thoughtful, ... all at the same time.) My Rating: 8.5
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