(POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD)

If I may, I'd like to lobby for Emma Thompson's film, 'Wit.' Even after 3 viewings, this film still holds much power for me (interestingly, the most recent viewing was at my workplace, courtesy of the hospital's ethics committee).

Anyway, this movie convincingly portrays the soul-numbing power of the professional realm, both in university academics and medicine, where science and achievement can squeeze out a sense of community. Throughout the film, but especially in the final sequence and the 'Death Be Not Proud' exposition, it demonstrates that earthly life is a mere portal into eternity.

In addition, through the discussions of Donne's poetry and, amazingly, 'The Runaway Bunny,' the film also alludes to the ultimate importance of mankind's relationship to the Divine.

Besides, the acting by Emma Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, and the people portraying the nurse and young physician seems topnotch to me. The use of music, including Shostakovich and Gorecki, is also quite effective.

QUOTE

Anyway, this movie convincingly portrays the soul-numbing power of the professional realm, both in university academics and medicine, where science and achievement can squeeze out a sense of community. Throughout the film, but especially in the final sequence and the 'Death Be Not Proud' exposition, it demonstrates that earthly life is a mere portal into eternity.   In addition, through the discussions of Donne's poetry and, amazingly, 'The Runaway Bunny,' the film also alludes to the ultimate importance of mankind's relationship to the Divine.

I'm a big fan of John Donne in all his phases, and have been telling myself ever since this movie became available that I really ought to see it--as soon as I was ready to have my guts ripped out. But you convince me that this really is an important film/play.

No more delay...

A fantastic film!! I couldn't agree more!!! Pultizer source material to boot!

A hearty amen, Andrew. I've only seen (and read) the stage play, but with Emma Thompson in the lead role and the positive reviews I've read, I can't imagine the film would be anything less than the play. I love this one: indeed, I went after the rights to perform it at my theatre, but our big regional theatre (The Vancouver Playhouse) had already tied up the rights. That's alright - they really did a fabulous job of it, and far more people were able to see it than would have fit into my 120 seat venue.