Film Analysis Of The Film 'Wit'

The film “Wit” directed by Mike Nicols and starring Emma Thompson as “Vivian Bearing showcases her as an ovarian cancer patient and her experience at the hospital as she undergoes treatment. It is told through Vivian’s perspective, and we as the audience see the many side effects she experiences from the form of chemotherapy she was receiving. The film deals with key themes that have been covered so far in this course, including the biomedical model. In Vivian’s case, technology is a big factor and becomes what she relies on to get herself healthy again. In doing so, in the end of the movie we all realize that perhaps relying on health technology isn’t such a good idea, because Vivian passes away. In this paper I will argue that Vivian’s

Kelekian diagnoses Vivian and begins to discuss treatment options. He suggests a form of chemotherapy, which is directed specifically at patients like her and is experimental. “This treatment is the strongest thing we have to offer you, and as research it will make a significant contribution to our knowledge” (Bosanquet & Nicols, 2001). This show cases the doctor having power over the patient. She is vulnerable and has just been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Vivian even says to herself, “there is no stage 5”. Just sounds like a vulnerable patient accepting higher authorities judgement even though he did mention that it was just “experimental”. Also, the words of Dr. Kelekian suggest that this is the only treatment option that will be helpful “this is the strongest thing we have to offer you”. Another way the theme power is explored in the film is Vivian is completely stripped of her independence. She becomes a guinea pig and is just seen as research. We are first aware of this when Jason in the film does a physical and completely forgets to have the nurse in there with him. In the film, Vivian says, “health care professionals are a hazard for me” (Bosanquet & Nicols, 2001). Relatedly, the nurse Susie describes how Vivian cannot handle any more of the medication for the eight cycles of chemotherapy as because it was becoming too much for her. Susie tells Jason: “I think you need to talk to Kelekian about lowering the dose for the

It is ironic how she is actually an English professor who teaches students, but in the hospital she is just nothing but a patient. As she gets examined she says, “I teach literature”. The doctor pays her no mind and just continues on with his job. The institutional culture strips patients of their independence and controls them by introducing a new schedule and lifestyle that they are not use to. In the film “Not My Home”, patients there state that the institution is isolating and they do not feel at home. Also in the article, “The Nature of Relationships in Alternative Demenntia Care Enviroments” it is stated that in the home, “routines are rigid and structured and very often little exposure to the community …”(Dupris, Smale & Weirsma, 2005). A resident also stated, “You don’t have your freedom. I’ve lost my freedom since I’ve been in here in a way, cause I can’t do the things I wanted” (Weirsma & Pedlar 103).

In conclusion, this paper showcases Vivian Bearing’s experience in the film Wit and how it is shaped by the components of the biomedical model. The components that are showcased are power, technology and institutional culture. These components strip Vivian of her independence and force her to agree to the rules and regulations of the hospital. Power, technology and the institutional culture put Vivian in a state of isolation and promote a sort of hierarchy between health professionals and patient. In the end we see