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      Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself

      2002, Comedy/Drama, 1h 46m

      79 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

      What to know

      Critics Consensus

      Despite its morbid subject matter, Wilbur is a charming and often funny film. Read critic reviews

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      Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself  Photos

      Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2002) Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2002) Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2002) Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2002) Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2002) Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2002) Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2002) Shirley Henderson Shirley Henderson and Jaime Sives

      Movie Info

      When their mother dies, Harbour (Adrian Rawlins) takes it upon himself to look after his suicidal brother, Wilbur (Jamie Sives). Years later, the brothers find themselves dealing with the sudden death of their father, from whom they inherit a bookstore. While working in the shop, they meet a hospital cleaning lady named Alice (Shirley Henderson) and her daughter, Mary (Lisa McKinlay). Harbour falls in love with Alice, and Wilbur's friendship with Mary gives him something to live for.

      • Rating: R (Some Disturbing Images|Language)

      • Genre: Comedy, Drama

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: Lone Scherfig

      • Producer: Gillian Berrie, Sisse Graum Jørgensen

      • Writer: Anders Thomas Jensen

      • Release Date (Theaters):  original

      • Release Date (DVD):

      • Box Office (Gross USA): $233.1K

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: ThinkFilm

      • Production Co: Nordisk Film

      Cast & Crew

      News & Interviews for Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself

      Critic Reviews for Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself

      Audience Reviews for Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself

      • Dec 05, 2011

        Well, this was definitely a surprise! Dark, yes. Comedy, not so much. Really fantastic writing, and the slow development of characters that aren't contrived or condescending. Even as tired as I was while watching this, I could not stop watching. I found this story mesmerizing....well done.

        Super Reviewer
      • Aug 17, 2011

        It looks fine and the acting is good but 'Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself' doesn't work. The movie is manipulative and drenched in tedious sentimentality. Worst of all it isn't funny.

        Super Reviewer
      • Nov 01, 2008

        Mixed feelings on this one. On one hand, very original story and well cast (even Shirley Henderson is very good here. Not nearly as "screetchy" as normal - I am sure she puts that voice on!), also quite funny in a dark way thanks to Julia Davis (I can never take her seriously. I just see Jill from NIghty Night whenever I see her!). There was just something about the story itself that didn't sit quite right with me. It seemed horrible for Wilbur and Alice to be carrying on behind Harbour's back, and then the final scene seemed disrespectful to Harbour. I don't want to spell it all out and ruin it for those who have not seen this, but those who have will know what I mean. Perhaps I am missing the point, I am not sure...

        Super Reviewer
      • Jun 04, 2008

        Danish dark-comedy travels to Scotland and becomes more dark and less funny but still very bizarre. Seeing Mads Mikkelsen probably had something to do with me remembering Anders Thomas Jensen movies while watching this, but even if I didn't know beforehand that it was Danish, I would have definetly guessed it was so, because of the weird characters. This is about two middle aged brothers, running a bookstore after their father passed. Harbour is the older and decent one, running the store while trying to prevent his brother Wilbur trying to kill himself. Their lifes change after a woman walks into the store and into their lifes. Interesting story, weird characters, very good score, decent directing, overall a good movie which is not for everyone.

        Super Reviewer

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