Wilbur (Wants to Kill Himself) is a poignant yet darkly humorous drama released in 2002, starring Jamie Sives in the title role and Adrian Rawlins as his older brother, Harbour. Centered on the bleak theme of suicide, the film demonstrates the human capacity for love, for recovery and the power of even the most unlikely relationships to foster hope and healing.

The storyline is set in Glasgow, a northern city in Scotland. Wilbur and Harbour are the adult sons of a man who recently passed away, leaving them a secondhand bookstore. Their father's death sets the film into motion, but the narrative dives deep into the brothers' starkly contrasting personalities and their complex relationships with others. Harbour, the eldest, is placid, caring and optimistic about life, despite the sad hand it dealt him, while Wilbur is deeply troubled, often hurls himself into dangerous and life-threatening situations, and has an almost obsessive desire to commit suicide.

Despite the vast contrast in their temperaments, the brothers share a deep bond, transcending the nihilism and despair that threaten to consume Wilbur. Harbour, though outwardly benign, has his own struggles of living under the shadow of his emotionally fragile younger brother and feeling responsible for him.

The narrative takes a turn when the brothers come across Alice, played by Shirley Henderson. Alice is a reserved and shy single mother to a delightful young girl, Mary, who sells books to the brothers' shop. She soon becomes romantically involved with Harbour. Alice's arrival triggers a shift in the brothers' dynamics - she brings an unexpected perspective, a gentle strength, and a new prism through which to view life.

Director Lone Scherfig, known for her impactful Danish cinema, prints her unique aesthetic on every frame of this movie. She seamlessly blends elements of drama, comedy, romance, and existential crisis to create a dialogue about life, death, despair, hope, and human resilience. With an international crew behind the film's production, the multi-lingual Scherfig directs her English-language debut with finesse, accomplishing a tone of darkness yet lightheartedness.

The performances in the movie are incredibly genuine and moving. Jamie Sives portrays Wilbur with a deeply touching combination of darkness and vulnerability while Adrian Rawlins, as Harbour, exudes an air of quiet strength and tenderness, painting a character who is warm and deeply compassionate yet unassumingly heroic. Shirley Henderson as Alice gives an equally stirring performance, portraying a woman who is seemingly submissive yet possesses an undercurrent of strong will and determination.

Wilbur (Wants to Kill Himself) on the surface is a tale of a young man's despair and his many suicide attempts but deep inside it's a narrative about love, resilience, and the human capacity for hope amid the bleakest circumstances. Its beauty lies in its honesty, as it doesn't shy away from exploring the harsh realities of life, using dark humour to provide a counterpoint to the grim subject matter.

The cinematography of the film is subtly beautiful, capturing the grit and grey of Glasgow to mirror the narrative's sombre themes and adding layers of silent narration to the story. The indie soundtrack adds an extra punch to the beautifully shot cityscape, perfectly enhancing the melancholic ambiance.

Overall, Wilbur (Wants to Kill Himself), is a film that remains in the viewers' minds long after the final credits roll. Its examination of mental health, family ties, and the redeeming power of love renders it a poignant and memorable cinematic experience. It invites viewers to look beyond the superficialities of life and venture into the raw and complicated emotions that drive human relationships and self-perception. Powerfully directed and brilliantly acted, this movie serves as a thought-provoking exploration of hope and despair, darkness and light, life and death, engaging us in an uncomfortable but essential dialogue.