Wit: Screenplay by Mike Nichols and Emma Thompson adapted from the stage play by Margaret Edson. 99 minutes presented in 1:66 16x9 letterbox. English stereo. Produced by HBO Home Video.
Directed by Mike Nichols

Wit, is a small film of incalculable power, as performed by Emma Thompson. This is a film of texture and paradox, spoken in words of great beauty. The subject, death by cancer, is revealed to us by Professor Dearing (Emma Thompson), a scholar of the great 17th century metaphysical poet John Donne. A harrowing 99 minutes of haunting syllables and agonizing symptoms. This is an incredibly intimate and intelligent presentation as Emma speaks directly into the camera at us, and we are shaken. The journey from first diagnosis to her last breath is powerful and poignant.The paradox of humane care vs detached clinical researcher is heartbreaking and achingly portrayed. Shot on digital camera, it is a bit suprising to see so many defects on a digital source and the look/lighting is a bit harsh, but in the end the film is so riveting the defects hardly matter. I doubt that many will be willing to take this journey as it's language is complex and deeply meaningful. For anyone, willing to spend these 99 minutes in uncomprimising honesty, the rewards are devastating. Highly recommended.