Cast
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Mel Gibson
as James Murray
Sean Penn
as Dr. William Chester Minor
Natalie Dormer
as Eliza Merrett
Eddie Marsan
as Muncie
Jennifer Ehle
as Ada Murray
Jeremy Irvine
as Charles Hall
David O'Hara
as Church
Anthony Andrews
as Benjamin Jowett
Ioan Gruffudd
as Henry Bradley
Stephen Dillane
as Dr. Richard Brayne
Steve Coogan
as Frederick James Furnivall
Laurence Fox
as Philip Lyttelton Gell
Lars Brygmann
as Max Mueller
Brendan Patricks
as Winston Churchill
Adam Fergus
as Alfred Minor
Crew
Director
- Farhad Safinia
Writer
- John Boorman
- Todd Komarnicki
- Farhad Safinia
Producer
- Bruce Davey
- Mel Gibson
- Gastón Pavlovich
Reviews
SWITCH.
In all likelihood, you will leave this film with a little more of an understanding of how the dictionary came to be, and a little more resentment for Gibson (one of the producers) for pushing this project to happen, regardless of its lacklustre subject. It's pleasant enough, but it's clear England must produce a certain number of period dramas a year and 2019 was just about to fall under the quota - thank god for the dictionary movie.
Usually with book-to-film adaptations, there is a spike in sales of said book - I can't imagine anyone rushing out to buy a dictionary after this though.
- Brent Davidson
Read Brent's full article...
https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-the-professor-and-the-madman-mel-gibsons-dictionary-origin-story-a-dry-read
Nov 24, 2019
mitohobe
I really like it. It had a story within a true Story. Which in my opinion made it a little complex and exciting. Good for young adults and up. Teenagers might not find it so compelling but that's just a short time in their life when they're looking for total entertainment and action. This is not that film but there is a great story to be told with a interesting backdrop of facts. Mel Gibson is excellent!! Be ready to be surprised with a few turns and twists. I really like this movie. I think it was very entertaining and interesting and at times exciting. Get your popcorn ready kick back and enjoy a movie that every other word is not the f word or the GD word. I really enjoyed it and as usual, Mel Gibson always deliver.
May 6, 2021
CinemaSerf
This is the best effort I've seen from Sean Penn since "Milk" almost twelve years ago. His portrayal of the schizophrenic William Chester Minor who, having spent almost 40 years of his life in Broadmoor psychiatric hospital, became one of the single most significant contributors to the orginal Oxford Dictionary of English is superb. He captures the flaws of this paranoid etymologist warts and all, and gels very well with Mel Gibson who, as the compiler of the tome - Dr. James Murray - also turns in a good, strong and, latterly, sympathetic and understanding performance too. This is essentially a double-hander with Natalie Dormer, Eddie Marsan and Steve Coogan helping to explain the story and releasing some of the emotional steam from time to time. It's a little slow in places, two hours could have done justice to this interesting story which seems overly padded at time. As you'd expect; it looks great with plenty of serious attention to detail and it also shines a little light on Victorian/Edwardian attitudes to mental illness.
Mar 28, 2022
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, The Professor and the Madman examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Farhad Safinia brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2019, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Professor and the Madman took approximately 17 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $25.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 124 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 176 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 8 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The musical score contains over 62 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 2019, when this film is released:
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Professor and the Madman shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Cut Off, which focuses more on action than character development, The Professor and the Madman offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Bonnie Prince Charlie and Hazel's People explore similar territory, The Professor and the Madman stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: March 7, 2019
- Runtime: 2h 4m
- Budget: $25,000,000
- Revenue: $4,957,273
Where to Watch
