Lovers of Words Unite

I watched a movie tonight that I selected from the many worthy titles on Kanopy, a free streaming site. “The Professor and the Madman” struck me because some of the language was beautiful and poetic. This drama, after all, is about words.

I won’t provide a full description of the plot, although I will certainly give accolades for the fine acting by Mel Gibson, Sean Penn and Natalie Dormer. Professor and Madman is based on the true story of James Murray, a lexicologist whose brash ambition to create the Oxford Dictionary nearly tanked until he received an assist from a convicted murderer locked up in an asylum for the criminally insane.

Sean Penn brilliantly portrays Dr. William Chester Minor, who makes you ache inside because he is painfully broken, and decidedly mad, yet delivers tender moments while exhibiting a profound love of language. In real life, Penn is an author and from what I heard in interviews, his “Bob Honey” books contain a rich and playful appreciation of language.

Usually, I might pause a film to refill my scotch on the rocks. This time, I paused to reflect on a scene where Penn recites an Emily Dickinson poem.

The Brain—is wider than the Sky—
For—put them side by side—
The one the other will contain
With ease—and You—beside—

The Brain is deeper than the sea—
For—hold them—Blue to Blue—
The one the other will absorb—
As Sponges—Buckets—do—

The Brain is just the weight of God—
For—Heft them—Pound for Pound—
And they will differ—if they do—
As Syllable from Sound—

– Emily Dickinson

While the film contains many gems in its dialogue, one struck me in particular. Murray sees Minor’s painting of a beautiful woman (Dormer) in his cell and asks, “Who is she?”
“She — is impossible.”

Which made me think that perhaps he wasn’t mad after all, for I have felt that many times, too.

The movie is based on the book by Simon Winchester, “The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary.”