Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself

Rating:
Summary: A wonderfully ironic affirmation of the joy of living
Review: I originally saw this unusual Danish-Scottish production in the fall of 2003 at the Chicago International Film Festival and was quite impressed with it. I was disappointed when it did not achieve widespread distribution in the U.S. after this, which is a shame, because it is a very nice movie that has stayed with me. Thankfully it is now available on DVD.

The movie rests on a central irony: Wilbur wants to kill himself. He lives with his brother Harbour, who has taken care of him all his life. Wilbur's multiple attempts on his life have been unsuccessful, but nonetheless he shows no signs of wanting to live until two events. First, Harbour gets married to Alice, a woman who works on the cleaning staff at a nearby hospital who meets Harbour when she comes by to sell the books that patients leave behind. This unsettles Wilbur's life, but nonetheless Alice and Wilbur become aware of a chemistry between them, eventually leading to a sexual encounter. As they are feeling guilty of betraying Harbour the second shoes falls: Harbour learns that he is terminally ill. Wilbur, who has wanted to kill himself, suddenly finds himself wanting to live by the impending loss of his brother, while Harbour, who has wanted to live, tragically learns that he will die. The complicated interplay between the four central characters (the fourth being Alice's daughter) makes this a fascinating film to watch.

The only thing that keeps this from being a five star film is the unrelenting dismalness of the film. It isn't merely the downer nature of the plot, which is actually somewhat alleviated by a countervailing affirmation of life that is the ultimate theme of the film; the entire city of Glasgow has never looked more drab and unpleasant than in this film. Everything is dingy, dark, worn, dilapidated, and bleak. The bookstore is a precise reflection of the rest of the city, and the apartment a reflection of the bookstore. The hospital has the same worn, tired look.

The cast does a great job in the film. I am unfamiliar with Jamie Sieves, who plays Wilbur, but Adrian Rawlins and Shirley Henderson, who play Harbour and Alice respectively, are familiar faces to anyone who sees many movies, even if their names are not familiar. Both of them appear in the Harry Potter films, Rawlins as Harry's father (always in photos or mirrors) and Henderson as Moaning Myrtle. She has been extremely busy as a supporting actress, appearing in a wide range of films, including the Bridget Jones movies (as one of Bridget's friends), 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE, the Mike Leigh film TOPSY TURVY (as a performer with a drug problem), WONDERLAND, and TRAINSPOTTING. But in all of these roles both of them were at best supporting performers and it is great to see them in a film where they have the central roles.

All in all, this is a very fine film. It is a great tonic to those who might find themselves feeling ground down by the unending string of big budget films that seem to squeeze quiet, reflective films like this one out of the market.

Rating:
Summary: Wilbur's hung up on himself
Review: It's difficult to discuss what I liked and disliked "Wilbur" without delving into plot developments that are best left to the viewer to experience for herself. Suffice to say that Wilbur wants to kill himself and after numerous attempts, the hospital refuses to continue treating him psychologically and sends him to live with his generously compassionate brother. Alternately quirky and sad, but never morbid, the question around which the events unfold is whether Wilbur will eventually succeed or get over himself.

The film is enjoyable enough, though I never felt much empathy with the characters. The quirkiness is both endearing (in that way that so many Scottish and Irish comedies are) and, at the same time, worn like an affectation. On balance, I liked it, but wouldn't watch it more than once.

Rating:
Summary: Recommendable Movie
Review: This melancholy film is enjoyable and endearing. Although it deals with morbid themes such as suicide and death it skillfully adds humour and wit at appropriate times. I highly recommend this solid, funny film.

Rating:
Summary: A unique Scottish/Danish blend of black, black humor
Review: With "Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself," writer/director Dogma 95 adherent Lone Scherfig follows in the footsteps of Lars von Trier's masterpiece "Breaking the Waves" by crafting a film imbued with a black Scottish/Danish inflection. But where von Trier's vision is uniformly bleak, Scherfig penetrates the grey Edinburgh sky with rays of hope. Who knew a movie about suicide could be so uplifting?

If you saw and loved Scherfig's delightful "Italian for Beginners," you know of her brilliance with actors. That talent shows here - Shirley Henderson, Adrian Rawlins and Jamie Sives are magnificent in depicting the leading triumverate.

But, even beyond the three stars, there are neat things to find. Supporting actresses Julia Davia and Susan Vidler are classically trained British actresses of repute. Davis won a best supporting actress nomination for her portrayal of quirky nurse/alternative medicine 'student' Moira. And, watching doctor 'Horst' as portrayed by one Mads Mikkelsen...you got the feeling there was something special about this guy.

There is. This is Denmark's leading leading man. As imdb.com notes, "several polls in magazines and newspapers have voted him sexiest man in Denmark." It's always neat to find nice surprises like this tucked into an already enjoyable movie.

So, don't be dissuaded by the awful title. Rent or buy 'Wilbur' as soon as you can.