Monday, November 2, 2020

The Professor and the Madman (2019) Review

 Creating a dictionary seems like a less challenging activity. Not many people know the special process behind this, except for those who are majoring in literature and languages, or studying linguistics. In fact, making a dictionary is a complicated process that doesn't just involve letters and paper. There are many analytical processes, creative processes, and even understanding of the culture behind it.

That is the theme raised in the film entitled The Professor and the Madman. You must have heard of the Oxford dictionary. For those who don't know, the Oxford Dictionary, which was first released in 1884, is the first dictionary filmebi qartulad that is considered the most powerful and comprehensive. Well, this film will tell you its history and of course it will be wrapped in an interesting drama that will make you understand the minds of language activists.

This film stars senior Hollywood actors, such as Mel Gibson, Sean Penn, Eddie Marshan, and Natalie Dormer. With a score of 7.3 on IMDb and an audience score of 78 percent at Rotten Tomatoes, making this film a must on the weekend watch list. Film The Professor and the Madman can you watch in Mola TV.

How fun was the film The Professor and the Madman , see the KINCIR review below.

The Story of the Polyglot and the Schizophrenic

Synopsis and Review of The Professor and the Madman.
Synopsis and Review of The Professor and the Madman. Via Voltage Pictures .

As the title suggests, the main character in this film is a 'professor' and a schizophrenic. Their backgrounds are very unique. James Murray (Mel Gibson), is a man without a diploma who is able to speak various languages.

He applied for an editorial position on a project that would later become the Oxford English dictionary. Doubted by many examiners, because he did not have a diploma, he was accepted on the advice of Freddie Furnivall (Steve Coogan).

The members of this team are mostly people who are rigid and like to stick to the old ways. One member, for example, put too rigid rules on the pronunciation process. In fact, language is not just rules or grammar. Language is also related to culture, the same as everything that humans use in communicating.Sponsored

Synopsis and Review of The Professor and the Madman.
Synopsis and Review of The Professor and the Madman. Via Voltage Pictures .

In the process of compiling the dictionary, Murray experienced difficulties in defining various kinds of words. He also had a brilliant idea: to invite people - who in fact are active language users -, to contribute. Well, William Chester Minor (Sean Penn), the madman alias schizophrenic , is one of the contributors.

He is a highly skilled former military doctor and soldier, but he accidentally kills someone named George Merret and is diagnosed with schizophrenia. His letters to Murray and his reading of books served as an antidote to his insecurities.

The film The Professor and the Madman does n't just revolve around the story of Murray and Minor's relationship. Murray must face the conspiracy of the team members who are jealous of him and want to bring him down. Meanwhile, Minor confronted Eliza, the widow of someone he killed, and fell in love with him.

A Warm Film Based on True Story

Synopsis and Review of The Professor and the Madman.
Synopsis and Review of The Professor and the Madman. Via Voltage Pictures .

Both the Murray and the Minor characters were both people who had lived in the past and contributed greatly to the creation of the Oxford dictionary. So, the film The Professor and the Madman is indeed a biopic on Mola TV. And like a biopic in general, "boredom" can enter the audience's dictionary when watching it.

For those who don't really understand the complexities behind composing a dictionary and don't like linguistics, this film can be boring. The problem is, they will be confused as to why the activity of compiling a dictionary must involve many people and what things need to be taken from this film.

Then, for viewers who are looking for a climax, let alone a plot twist , this film will not live up to expectations. Watching this film actually won't make us too happy, too sad, or too excited.

Synopsis and Review of The Professor and the Madman.
Synopsis and Review of The Professor and the Madman. Via Voltage Pictures .

However, it seems that this film represents what people think about linguistics. Linguistics in general is really boring. Even those who major in literature and language are sometimes lazy at this particular interest. However, once you understand it, you will understand that it is beautiful in its own way. That's how this film works.

Besides, biopic films should not be dramatized, because real life is not always full of drama like fictional films.

Apart from a rather flat plot , one of the 'problems' in the film The Professor and the Madman is language. Yes, British accents in the 21st century are hard to understand, let alone a 19th century accent. For those who are not used to British accents, watching this film without subtitles will make you get lost.

Synopsis and Review of The Professor and the Madman.
Synopsis and Review of The Professor and the Madman. Via Voltage Pictures .

However, regarding acting, cinematography, and artistic design, this film is classy. The “Academy Award Winner” frills for actors that were pinned on the poster were not far-fetched. Both actors really put on Oscar-class acting.

For those of you who like films from the 1980s to 2000s and who are fans of the ideal actors at that time, the presence of Mel Gibson and Sean Penn will be very entertaining.

Cliches that cannot be eliminated

Some things in the film seem cliché to modern people, such as old people and Eliza (Natalie Dormer), Merret's widow who, after her husband left her, went into prostitution. For some reason, in every future project, there are always conservative people who have the power.

Plus, old films always depict women without husbands plunging into the world of prostitution. We've seen it in the movies Les Miserables and Malena . It was as if these women would be paralyzed without a husband and could only sell their bodies.

However, the film The Professor and the Madman is a picture of life. Although unique figures such as independent girls are attractive to show, she doesn't depict European girls in the 19th century. At that time, girls were not considered independent. They are in the shadow of men.

Synopsis and Review of The Professor and the Madman.
Synopsis and Review of The Professor and the Madman. Via Voltage Pictures .

These clichés, for the audience to melt away new experiences, will make the film something boring. However, since the basis is indeed a true story, there is nothing that can be done but a little dramatize the story.

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