Wilbur Movie Review:


Synopsis:

Scherfig, formerly a Dogme director, and director of the acclaimed “Italian For Beginners” makes her first foray into the English language movie here with a tale set in modern - day Glasgow.

Wilbur (Sives) is a character whom is suicidal, yet attracts women like bees to honey.
Alice (Henderson) is an unglamorous single mother whose day-to-day life evolves around an old bookstore and the local hospital.

Billed as a “humorous ensemble drama”, both sensitive and sharp, which draws the pair together in odd ways.

Wilbur's everyday life is plagued by suicidal thoughts. His brother Harbour, who is more of an optimist than Wilbur, looks after him, along with the second - hand bookstore, which they inherited from their father.

Alice, who has a young daughter, Mary, works as a cleaner at the local hospital, and brings in the books left behind by patients there.
The lives of the characters become intertwined like a tightening rope, in this bittersweet tale of family, loyalty, love and death.

There house is also a home of literary love, as the unusual family lead their lives behind the stacks of dusty books which seem to have infiltrated every corner of their Scottish home.

It is a treat to see a movie of this calibre shot in Scotland, but there is a larger appeal due to its other qualities.

It is bursting with amazing characters, from the leads, all fantastic, onward, and the acting throughout is award - worthy.This movie overflows with sadness, joy and wit.

For every one of the many bleak moments, there is a lovingly timed moment of comic relief, which will bring tears of mirth and sadness to the eyes, sometimes simultaneously. When Wilbur is refused admittance to the suicide group due to his virtual success, the ensuing situation is, despite the inherent sadness, hysterical.

The irony that unfolds in the tale is used to devastating effect, made more so by the gentle way in which the characters interact, revealing glimpses of tragedy in their childhood in the tales they share.
Many director's may have faltered to handle such a sensitive and delicate subject of suicide, but here it is approached boldly and poignantly, showing life with optimism beyond the most unimaginable sadness.

The absurdities of the human condition are rendered perfectly by Scherfig, who has approached this breathtaking script she helped to pen with obvious affection.

Even the latter scenes,that are heart-breaking in their despair, manage to generate much pathos, warmth and humour.

This is an eye opening, enriching movie, a treasure and a must - see.

Terresa Gaffney

This comic Scottish film (made by Danish filmmakers) tells a story of life, love and death that seriously gets under our skin due to a sensitive, insightful script and terrific performances from the entire cast. After his latest suicide attempt, Wilbur (Sives) moves in with his older brother Harbour (Rawlins) at the back of the family-run bookshop in Glasgow. The brothers couldn't be more different; Wilbur is darkly charming and deeply unambitious, while Harbour is optimistic, cheery and energetically efficient. Harbour has dedicated his life to caring for their ill father, who has recently died, and how he has to take care of Wilbur. He suggests that Wilbur find a girlfriend, but it's Harbour who finds love with Alice (Henderson), a mousy woman with a pre-teen daughter (McKinlay). These four characters form themselves into an inseparable family, but one of them has a secret that's just too scary to talk about.

Yes, the story is very serious, with a shadow of death and loneliness hanging over every scene. Yet the characters are so beautifully written and played that they spring to life, bringing with them natural rhythms of life and humour that keeps us smiling right through to the emotional conclusion. It's a remarkable achievement for Sherfig (Italian for Beginners), a gifted filmmaker who proves her skills in the English language with a delicate, witty script and visceral, lush direction that combine to draw us deeply into the lives of these characters. And they're all played note-perfect. Sives is especially impressive in a very difficult role; he looks a bit like Russell Crowe crossed with Colin Farrell, but plays it with a remarkable combination of introspection and impeccable comic timing. Rawlins is equally superb as the two-pronged Harbour--outwardly happy and inwardly tortured, just trying to get on with life as best he can. Meanwhile, there's a series of stunningly well-drawn side characters who liven things up considerably ... and add textures that make the film even more meaningful and moving. Don't let the title put you off; this is one of the most wonderfully life-affirming films you'll see all year.

Rich Cline

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