Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself 2004
Directed by
Lone Scherfig
Made by
THINKFilm
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2004). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
When Wilbur, portrayed by Adrian Rawlins, leaves the hospital after another suicide attempt, the staff implore his brother Harbour to allow him to stay with him. The brothers settle into their childhood apartment, situated above the bookshop left to them by their father. While Wilbur is disinterested in running the family business and finds work at a nursery, Harbour manages the shop. It’s there that he meets Alice, played by Shirley Henderson, a hospital cleaner who frequently brings him books she finds at her job. After she loses her job for tardiness, Alice visits Harbour to explain her absence.
Taking a tip from Wilbur about winning over women, Harbour boldly proposes to Alice during a dinner at an Asian restaurant, which also gives Wilbur the chance to meet Sophie, Alice’s former colleague. Although there’s some playful flirting, Wilbur awkwardly dismisses Sophie when she licks his ear. Later, in a dark turn, he retreats to the bathroom and attempts to end his life. However, Harbour arrives just in time to prevent a tragedy with the help of Alice, who applies towels to stem Wilbur’s bleeding. During a conversation with Alice, Harbour reveals that Wilbur carries the guilt of their mother’s death.
As Wilbur attempts to navigate life post-hospital, he encounters a nurse named Moira who becomes infatuated with him. In a moment lacking reciprocity, he brushes her advances aside. Meanwhile, Harbour receives troubling news about his health but is reluctant to stay in the hospital, wishing to focus on his new family instead. The four of them—Wilbur, Harbour, Alice, and little Mary—try to build a life together, leading to a comedic yet touching birthday gathering marred by hiccups, including Wilbur throwing up on a little girl’s dress.
Tension builds as Wilbur makes a desperate attempt to leap from a building but ultimately realizes he is not ready to leave life behind. When he tries to apologize to Alice for their previous kiss, they find themselves swept back into a moment of affection. Meanwhile, Harbour wrestles with his terminal illness, burdened by how to convey the severity of his situation to those he loves.
To stave off his feelings for Alice, Wilbur awkwardly pursues a relationship with Moira. However, during a family meal, Moira suggests dietary changes to aid Harbour’s chemotherapy, further igniting Alice’s frustrations at Harbour for avoiding treatment. Concerned about Wilbur’s wellbeing, Alice spends the night in the hospital with Harbour, while Wilbur, realizing that he must care for Mary, decides against suicide.
Eventually, Wilbur steps up to manage the bookshop in place of Harbour, whose health declines further. With the gravity of the situation weighing upon them, Harbour is granted the chance to celebrate Christmas at the shop. As he tucks Mary into bed that night, she innocently suggests that Wilbur will be sleeping with Alice, leading to a misunderstanding about their relationships.
In a heartbreaking conclusion, Harbour decides to take matters into his own hands, overdosing in his hospital room after making a heartfelt request of Wilbur to look after Alice and Mary. The film poignantly ends with Wilbur, Alice, and Mary standing solemnly at Harbour’s grave, united in their grief and memories.
Timeline
Track the key events of Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2004) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Wilbur Leaves the Hospital
Wilbur, portrayed by Adrian Rawlins, leaves the hospital after another suicide attempt. The hospital staff urges his brother Harbour to take him in, highlighting the family's struggle with mental health.
Brothers Move to Childhood Apartment
Wilbur and Harbour settle into their childhood apartment located above the family bookshop. This environment stirs memories of their past, adding to the emotional complexity of their current lives.
Wilbur's Disinterest in the Bookshop
While Harbour dedicates himself to managing the family bookshop, Wilbur prefers to work at a nursery. His indifference towards the bookshop symbolizes his struggle to engage with familial responsibilities.
Harbour Meets Alice
Harbour meets Alice, a hospital cleaner played by Shirley Henderson, who brings him books from her workplace. Their bond starts to form, adding a layer of romance amidst their challenging lives.
Alice Visits Harbour
After losing her job due to tardiness, Alice visits Harbour to explain her absence. This encounter deepens their connection as they share their struggles while navigating the complexities of their lives.
Harbour Proposes to Alice
Taking a tip from Wilbur, Harbour boldly proposes to Alice during a dinner at an Asian restaurant. This moment provides both a romantic turning point for their relationship and an opportunity for Wilbur to interact with Alice's former colleague, Sophie.
Wilbur's Dark Turn
In a moment of despair, Wilbur retreats to the bathroom with suicidal thoughts. Thankfully, Harbour arrives just in time with Alice's help, preventing a tragedy from occurring.
Harbour Reveals Family Secrets
During a heartfelt conversation with Alice, Harbour reveals Wilbur's deep-seated guilt over their mother's death. This revelation sheds light on the emotional turmoil Wilbur grapples with throughout the story.
The Birthday Gathering
The group attempts to celebrate a birthday, resulting in comedic chaos. Wilbur's awkwardness culminates in an embarrassing incident where he vomits on a little girl's dress, showcasing the difficulty they face in creating normalcy.
Wilbur's Leap of Desperation
Tension rises as Wilbur makes a desperate attempt to leap from a building. However, at the last moment, he realizes he is not ready to end his life, highlighting his ongoing struggle with mental health.
Complications in Relationships
Wilbur awkwardly pursues a relationship with Moira as a distraction from his feelings for Alice. This complicates the dynamics in their close-knit group and causes further tension between the characters.
Harbour's Health Deteriorates
Harbour receives troubling news about his health but chooses not to enter the hospital. His struggle to balance treatment with family duties reveals the heaviness of his situation as it weighs down the family.
Christmas at the Bookshop
As Harbour's health declines, the family unites to celebrate Christmas at the bookshop. The atmosphere merges warmth with poignant reflections of their struggles as they create lasting memories together.
Wilbur Takes Over the Bookshop
With Harbour's declining health, Wilbur steps in to manage the family bookshop. This shift represents his growth as he takes on more responsibility and strives to support Alice and Mary.
Harbour's Tragic Decision
In a heartbreaking conclusion, Harbour decides to take his own life, leaving a heartfelt request for Wilbur to care for Alice and Mary. The film ends poignantly with the three of them standing at Harbour's grave, united in their grief.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2004) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Wilbur (Adrian Rawlins)
Wilbur is a deeply troubled individual, struggling with feelings of guilt and despair as he grapples with his mental health. His character embodies the complexities of depression, as he faces numerous suicide attempts but ultimately seeks to find purpose and connection in his life.
Harbour (Jamie Sives)
Harbour serves as the protective older brother, deeply caring yet burdened by his own health issues. His commitment to supporting Wilbur and managing the family bookshop illustrates his sense of responsibility and love for his brother, even as he faces terminal illness.
Alice (Shirley Henderson)
Alice is a compassionate and nurturing character who becomes a stabilizing force in Wilbur and Harbour's lives. Her kindness and willingness to help reveal her emotional depth, even as she faces challenges of her own, such as job loss and relationship dilemmas.
Moira (Lisa McKinlay)
Moira is a nurse who becomes infatuated with Wilbur, representing a different aspect of love and connection. However, her advances are met with Wilbur's emotional unavailability, highlighting the nuances of longing and rejection.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2004), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The movie is set in contemporary times, focusing on modern issues such as mental health and personal relationships. It reflects current societal views surrounding these challenges, showcasing the struggles of its characters in a relatable modern context.
Location
Childhood apartment, Bookshop
The childhood apartment signifies the bond between the brothers, housing their memories and history. Above the bookshop left to them by their father, it represents both a refuge and a burden, with various emotions tied to their family's legacy.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2004). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Mental Health
The film deeply explores the theme of mental health through Wilbur's suicide attempts and Harbour's terminal illness. It sheds light on the complexities of love, support, and the consequences of untreated psychological struggles on families.
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Family and Responsibility
Family dynamics play a crucial role in the narrative, highlighting how personal struggles affect familial bonds. Harbour's desire to protect Alice and Mary while managing his illness emphasizes the theme of familial responsibility amidst crisis.
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Love and Relationships
The various romantic entanglements reflect the characters' search for connection amidst their turmoil. Wilbur's interactions with Alice and Moira illustrate the longing for love, while Harbour's complex relationship with his family showcases the meaning of devotion.
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