The Professor and the Madman: A Remarkable True Story of Language and Friendship

The events of the film revolve around a true story that took place in the late eighteenth century and the beginning of the nineteenth century. 

It tells the story of the development of the English dictionary "Oxford" by Professor James Murray (1837-1915), the main editor of the dictionary from 1897, and his relationship and friendship with Dr William Chester Minor, a retired surgeon captain in the US Army. 

Dr Minor is placed in the hospital "Broadmoor" for insane criminals after committing a murder.

source: Film-authority.com

One night, Dr Minor's psychological state worsens, and he goes out of his house in London carrying his gun. As soon as he sees someone walking in the street, he mistakes them for the person he is following and pursues them. Tragically, he kills the wrong man in front of his own door, in front of the eyes of his wife and children.

The main theme on which the stories and events of the film are built is "language." It explores the sensitivity of dealing with language, how it is used, and the significance of the words and vocabulary we use to express our pain, feelings, and opinions. The film also highlights how the process of developing language contributes to changing our lives for the better and shaping our identity.

Professor James Murray (played by actor Mel Gibson) and Dr William Chester Minor (played by Sean Bean) are characters whose hearts are deeply affected by language and the vocabulary they use. Their language reflects their feelings, understanding, and outlook on life.

Professor's Personality

From the beginning of the film, it is easy to discover the traits and qualities of Professor James Murray's character. His path is clear. He is a man who worked hard to be on the editorial committee of the "Oxford" English Dictionary. Despite the obstacles that some members of the Oxford University Committee put in front of him, considering him inferior, he possesses an energy of determination.

James did not obtain a degree in his life; he left his education at the age of 14 to earn a living. However, he is well-versed in linguistics, speaks multiple languages, and can read in other languages. He does not believe in the impossible and is convinced that with "perseverance," he will reach his goal despite all obstacles.

Sean Penn has surprised us before with his mastery of the roles he plays, especially when it comes to psychological roles. In this film, he portrays James Murray.

James comes to Oxford at a critical moment when the dictionary project has not made progress for the last twenty years. Freddy, one of the members of the committee, tries to convince the rest of the Oxford professors to assign James the task of writing and editing the dictionary. 

Freddy says, "We have been trying to write this dictionary for twenty years, and despite the great efforts of an entire army of academics, including myself, we have not gotten anywhere. We are, in fact, retreating. Language is evolving faster than ours. 

Our great language, which reaches the whole world, has spread its weapons, sharpened its bayonets, and declared that it will not be tamed. And we, with our nauseating arguments concerning the style, size, and purpose of these words, have thrown ourselves into supplication before it, immersed in a terrible defeat."

The Character of William the Madman

William is a psychologically disturbed person living in a state of self-flagellation. His soul is tormented, and he suffers from remorse due to torturing a young soldier during his time as an officer in the US Army. This situation is exacerbated when William accidentally kills a man in front of his wife and five children.

Sean Bean, the American actor, portrays William's character perfectly, using body language and conveying the convulsions that affect William in cases of the disorder. Additionally, his facial expressions and features add depth to the character.

William's complex character is expressed through sentences and phrases overflowing with human feelings. For example, when James asks him about the painting in which William painted Elisa's face, William responds, "Who is she?" and then says, "The impossible." 

During their conversations in the hospital garden, William tells James, "I'm going to gather my thoughts, spark them from thoughts," or says, "Listen to the foliage; it's scratching the air."

These elements of the film's characters are reminiscent of Sean Penn's roles in previous films, such as Alejandro González Iñárritu's "21 Grams" (2003), "I Am Sam" (2001) directed by Jesse Nelson, "Milk" (2008) directed by Gus Van Sant, and other films that have become part of cinema history worldwide.

Written By: Mohamed Mouafak