About Wit

Wit is an emotionally gripping American movie based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name written by Margaret Edson. The film is about Vivian Bearing, a rigorous English literature professor who faces a life-changing diagnosis of advanced metastatic ovarian cancer. It portrays her journey through the illness, her interactions with the hospital staff and flashbacks from her past, all while maintaining a raw connection to the audience using wit and humor.

Making / Production

The HBO signature production aired in 2001 and was directed by Mike Nichols. The screenplay adaptation of Margaret Edson's play was done by Nichols and Emma Thompson. The duo worked on maintaining the intellectual and emotional integrity of the original work while transferring it onto the screen.

Actors

• Emma Thompson plays the lead role of Professor Vivian Bearing. Thompson's portrayal of a tough and tenacious scholar facing an existential crisis brought an incredible depth to the character.
• Christopher Lloyd plays as Dr. Kelekian, the stern and clinical doctor treating Vivian. He perfectly captures the role of a detached medical professional.
• Noted actor Eileen Atkins plays E.M. Ashford, Vivian's undergraduate English professor whose advices are recalled at defining moments in the movie. Her performance added a significant emotional layer to the narrative.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was produced by HBO films and was originally premiered on TV before being released for Home Video/DVD.
• Emma Thompson shaved her head for the film to authentically portray a cancer patient.

Awards

The movie received widespread acclaim and Emma Thompson won the Best Actress at the Emmy Awards, and also grabbed nominations at the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Director Mike Nichols won an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or a Movie.

Quotes

• "You cannot imagine the extent of my withdrawal." - Vivian Bearing
• "It is said that the effect of eating too much lettuce is 'soporific'." - E.M. Ashford
• "You do not have to go gently into that good night." - Vivian Bearing

Music, Soundtrack

Being a movie based on a play, music in Wit was primarily used subtly and effectively to emphasize the emotional journeys. The movie does not feature any separate soundtrack but makes notable use of calculated silence, ambient hospital sounds and dramatic score at specific points.