Vivian Bearing is a Professor of 17th
Century Metaphysical Poetry by John Donne, from the film Wit. She has stage 4 ovarian cancer. Vivian
herself takes on the role of narrator, as well as every other version of
herself that she conjures up to help her tell her story. Although there are
many ways to look at Vivian’s character, both the subtle and obvious uses of music
and background sounds in the HBO film adaption of Wit contribute to the
complexity and purpose of Vivian’s character.
The most obvious and jarring use of music is a piece for
violin and cello (Shostakovich's String Quartet No 15 in E-flat Minor
at 12:45) that plays in the opening of the film and throughout the movie. Usually what is
expected from string instruments is for the piece of music to be soft and
soothing. While most of the piece is pleasant, the section of the String Quartet
used was handpicked from the middle of the piece, for it’s jarring and
uncomfortable effect. It is also much louder with respect to the rest of the
audio track. The subject matter that is introduced in that moment is also quite
uncomfortable and shocking as Vivian discovers that she has cancer. This
musical motif is threaded throughout the film, and is used for situations that
are similar, where Vivian is in pain or uncomfortable, and the audience is
reminded of the realness and even possibly the fatalness of the cancer.
Part’s gentle piece for piano and strings, Spiegel im Spiegel is used to accentuate moments that are meaningful to Vivian. The piece plays in the background, and is usually used to accentuate the humanity. It is first heard early on, when Vivian is remembering a conversation she had with Professor Ashford telling her about the truth of life and death found in the poetry of John Donne.
The more subtle use of pseudo silence is another effective tool the director used in this film. In many scenes there is only the quiet background sounds of a
hospital. This happens generally when Vivian, as the narrator, breaks the fourth wall and talks to
her audience, generally as a monologue. This frequently is a very intellectual conversation she has with the audience.
In several scenes, however, the director used loud sound to accentuate what was happening in the scene. The juxtaposition of loud, sudden sounds with silence between them, created an uncomfortable feeling for us. Vivian prides herself on her knowledge of words, her uncompromisingness, and on being very tough. In these scenes, all three of those ideals are challenged.
In several scenes, however, the director used loud sound to accentuate what was happening in the scene. The juxtaposition of loud, sudden sounds with silence between them, created an uncomfortable feeling for us. Vivian prides herself on her knowledge of words, her uncompromisingness, and on being very tough. In these scenes, all three of those ideals are challenged.
Ahh! I'm not sure if you're the same person I said this to before, but I love how you identify pieces of music in the film. Honestly, it's such a vital thing that goes overlooked so easily, and I love how closely you've paid attention to it. I appreciate this post!
ReplyDeleteReally cool connections between the music and silence, I feel like you have a lot that you can expand on (also you delved into an aspect of the film that I feel like most people avoided, so props to you!).
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