Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2002) - Synopsis
WILBUR (Wants To Kill Himself) is a witty and touching story from the award winning Director of “Italian For Beginners” LONE SCHERFIG. Written by LONE SCHERFIG and Academy Award ?-winner ANDERS THOMAS JENSEN, the film boasts stunning performances from JAMIE SIVES (Glasgow Kiss, Mean Machine), ADRIAN RAWLINS (Harry Potter, Breaking The Waves) & SHIRLEY HENDERSON (24 Hour Party People, Bridget Jones’ Diary)
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) who is an incurable optimist, for whom providing Wilbur's happiness is his main purpose in life.
These two eccentric brothers in their 30's live in Glasgow, where they have inherited a run down second hand book shop - the only memory of their recently deceased father.
After yet another failed suicide attempt Harbour convinces Wilbur to move in with him to 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, Horst (Mads Mikkelsen – Open Hearts) and encouraged by the empathic head nurse, Moira (Julia Davis – Big Train) indeed Moira hopes she might be the one!
However, it is Harbour who finds love in the shape of shy, beautiful, single mother Alice (Shirley Henderson). Little by little, Wilbur, Harbour, Alice & Mary become inseparable; Wilbur finds a new lease of life, Alice comes out of her shell & Mary finds a family. However, whilst Harbour has never been happier, he carries a deep secret which threatens to surface…
WILBUR (Wants To Kill Himself) is produced by Zentropa Entertainments6 - Wilbur Ltd. in association with Scottish Screen, Sigma Films Ltd., TV2/Danmark, Glasgow Film Office, Sveriges Television AB – SVT Fiktion and supported by Danish Filminstitute, Nordic Film-&TV Fund and distributed in conjunction with Trust Film Sales2, Les Film du Losange, Nordisk Film Biografdistribution & developed with support from The Media Programme of The European Union.
