Tom & Viv

Tom & Viv is a 1994 historical drama film directed by Brian Gilbert and starring Willem Dafoe, Miranda Richardson, and Rosemary Harris. The film follows the troubled relationship between the celebrated American poet T.S. Eliot and his first wife, Vivienne Haigh-Wood.

The movie is set in the early 20th century in London, England, where Tom, a shy and reserved poet, meets Viv, a vivacious and outgoing woman. They fall in love quickly and get married, but their relationship is rocky from the beginning. Viv suffers from chronic illness, which causes her to have frequent mood swings and erratic behavior, and this puts a strain on their marriage.

Tom is portrayed as a devoted husband who tries to support Viv in every way possible, but her illness continues to worsen, and her behavior becomes increasingly erratic. Viv's family does not seem to understand her illness and believes that Tom is responsible for her suffering. They are also afraid that Tom's use of their family's money to support his poetry career will drain their wealth.

As the marriage falls apart, Tom decides to separate from Viv, citing her deteriorating mental health as the reason. Viv is devastated by the breakup, and her behavior becomes even more erratic. Tom is portrayed as a man who is wedded to his work and finds solace in poetry, but this is shown to be a form of escapism rather than an authentic way of facing his troubles.

The film also explores the role of mental illness in society and highlights how mental illness was not well understood or treated in the early 20th century. Viv's erratic behavior is often dismissed as a result of her being a woman, and her family is afraid to confront her mental illness, leading to her tragic decline.

One of the strongest aspects of the film is the acting. Willem Dafoe portrays T.S. Eliot as a reserved, almost distant figure, who is deeply conflicted about his relationship with Viv. Miranda Richardson's portrayal of Viv is particularly impressive, as she captures the character's wild mood swings and erratic behavior convincingly.

The film's cinematography is also noteworthy, with London's gray and dingy settings contrasting with the couple's bright and colorful love story. The musical score also adds to the melancholic and tragic atmosphere of the film.

Overall, Tom & Viv is an engrossing and poetic film that explores the complex dynamics of a marriage and the devastating impact of mental illness. Its strong acting, powerful storyline, and poetic theme make it a must-watch film for fans of the genre.