WILBUR (WANTS TO
KILL HIMSELF)

Year: 2002
USA: Thinkfilm
UK: Icon Film Distribution
Cast: Jamie Sives, Adrian Rawlins, Shirley Henderson, Lisa McKinlay, Robert McIntosh, Mads Mikkelsen, Julia Davis, Susan Vidler, Robert McIntosh, Lorraine McIntosh, Gordon Brown, Mhairi Steenbock, Andrew Townsley, Coral Preston, Colin McAllister, Owen Gorman, Anne Marie Timoney
Director: Lone Scherfig
Countries: Denmark / UK / Sweden / France
UK: 109 mins
USA Rated: R for language and some disturbing images
UK Certificate: 15 contains suicide scenes and strong language
USA Release Date: 12 March 2004 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 5 December 2003


Synopsis

-The life he wanted to end, was just about to begin

Wilbur (Jamie Sives) wants to kill himself, but is yet to succeed. Even though he has a unique magnetism, especially with the ladies, his wit and charm can't disguise his pessimism. In fact, Wilbur is so disillusioned with life that he sees no reason to stay alive. Quite contrary to his younger brother, Harbour (Adrian Rawlins) is an incurable optimist, and providing for Wilbur's happiness is his purpose in life. These two eccentric brothers in their 30's live in Glasgow, where they have inherited a dilapidated book-shop - the only memory of their recently deceased father.

After yet another failed suicide attempt Harbour convinces Wilbur to move in with him in the apartment above the bookshop. Harbour believes that a girlfriend might help raise Wilbur's spirits and this idea is supported by the hospital's cynical psychologist, Dr Horst (Mads Mikkelsen) and encouraged by the empathic head nurse, Moira (Julia Davis), who hopes she might be the lucky one. However, their hopes don't quite go according to plan, and instead of Wilbur, it is Harbour who finds love in the shape of the shy and beautiful, single mother, Alice (Shirley Henderson), who works at night cleaning the hospital, where she collects books left by the patients, which she then sells at the bookshop. Soon Alice and her young daughter Mary (Lisa McKinlay) move into the book-shop with Harbour and Wilbur, and together the four of them discover a little happiness in life; Alice comes out of her shell, Mary finds a family and Wilbur begins to find some meaning in life.

Although Harbour has never been happier, he carries a dark secret, which cannot be hidden forever.