Campbell- Wit (Film)

Upon reading the play Wit then watching the film, I was pleasantly surprised. The film mirrored the written play remarkably well. While reading the play the reader can visualize what the author is trying to portray and watching the film production after reading it further enriched the experience of the work. When reading the play, one tries to visualize what the characters would look like. I think the film succeeded in capturing the essence of Vivian, Dr. Posnor and Susie.  Scenes that particularly stood out to me include the one in which Vivian is describing the moment in which she first knew that words would be her life’s work. As the doctors spout out medical terms, both in the written work and the film, Vivian explains to the audience what the terms mean. Vivian continues to explain that understanding and respecting words is her way of remaining in control.  In the scene, Vivian regresses back to her childhood at a moment when she is reading Floppsy Bunny while in here home with her father.  Vivian comes to the word “Soporific” and is unclear of how to say the word and the meaning.  Reading this scene, the reader might try to imagine how the interaction between Vivian and her father would take place. In the written play, this scene seemed a bit dry and cold; however, when seeing it acted out, it was much better. Additionally, the manner in which the director used the method of merging the flashback with the present day Vivian as well as taking the viewer from the living room of Vivian’s childhood back to the hospital room with her father sitting in a chair across from the bed.  This scene gave a richer experience to the viewer and portrayed a much warmer feel. Another scene which was especially interesting, was that when Vivian was indirectly telling the audience, that she somewhat regrets her uncompromising and rather strict academic position. Here again in the scene as it is written in the book does a good job a portraying the point; however, the added benefit of seeing the scene acted out, lenders to a greater understanding of Vivian’s regret. During the scene, first Vivian scolds a student for not be prepared for class and says that she will not accept anything less. What I found interesting about this was that Dr. Posner was a student in Vivian’s class at the time of this scene.  The ironically, it seems that Dr. Posnor, not only learned metaphysical poetry in Vivian’s class, but how to me an uncompromising and strict academic researcher to the neglect of the human experience.