Wittgenstein

Wittgenstein is a 1993 British film directed by the visionary Derek Jarman. The movie presents a highly stylized, non-linear, and colour-infused interpretation of the life and philosophy of the 20th-century philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. The titular character is played by Karl Johnson, while Clancy Chassay, Jill Balcon, and Sally Dexter appear in supporting roles.

The film's storyline doesn't follow the traditional narrative style. Instead, it offers an impressionistic exploration of Wittgenstein's life and work, delivered through a sequence of loosely connected scenes, acting as a symbolic representation of the philosopher's complex ideas. The cinematic approach mirrors the frequently counterintuitive and challenging nature of Wittgenstein's philosophical assertions. The film also employs a Godardian technique of incorporating textual elements into the visual landscape of the movie inscribed with phrases and quotes that encapsulate Wittgenstein's ideology.

The primary ensemble of the film consists of Johnson as Wittgenstein, Chassay as Johnny, Balcon as Leopoldine Wittgenstein, and Dexter as Ottoline Morrell. Each performer contributes significantly to the film, creating memorable characters that enhance the appeal of this unconventional biographical sketch.

"Wittgenstein" doesn't aim to provide a biography of the philosopher in the traditional sense. Instead, it delves into his philosophical ideas and confronts subjects such as language, the nature of understanding, the limits of knowledge, and the paradox of grappling with mysteries of existence within the bounds of language. The film illustrates the philosopher's keenly felt alienation from contemporary society and his ground-breaking ideas on the constraints and possibilities within the matrix of language.

The film is also visually striking and eclectic, filled with minimalistic yet colourful sets and bold costume designs. It presents a kaleidoscopic portrait of Wittgenstein's intellectual and emotional life within a theatrical and surreal mise-en-scene. Designed as a series of tableau-like frames, the movie uses an arrangement of solid colours as visual metaphors to underline the intellectual intensity of Wittgenstein’s complex thoughts and philosophies.

Johnson's portrayal of Wittgenstein is compelling: he masterfully captures the philosopher's troubled genius and passion towards his craft. The character is depicted as a deeply conflicted individual at odds with social norms and conventions, sexuality, and, ultimately, with the expressive limitations of language itself. The unique approach to the film's storytelling helps to enhance this depiction, and Johnson's performance is absolutely integral to the film's success.

Meanwhile, Sally Dexter turns in a riveting performance as Ottoline Morrell, an English society hostess, patron of the arts, and celebrated muse whose famous salon was a hub for the Bloomsbury Group and other artists and intellectuals of the time. Jill Balcon's portrayal of Wittgenstein’s mother, Leopoldine Wittgenstein, is a delicate study of maternal strength and resilience, while Clancy Chassay provides strong support and further complexity to the film in his role as Johnny.

Jarman's film is laced with irony and humor, often using frivolity to underscore profound insights about communication, existence, and reality. Wittgenstein's ideas on language are interwoven throughout the movie using instances such as his interactions with the Cambridge intellectual circle and his fascination with silent film comedians, stressing the gap between language and meaning, and exploring the tendency of words to misrepresent reality.

In summary, "Wittgenstein" is an experimental, thought-provoking exploration of the life and ideas of one of the most radical philosophers of the 20th century. The film serves not just as a cinematic experience but also as a visually and thematically multilayered journey into the mind and philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein – stripping back layers of conventional filmmaking to present a film that is as revolutionary, challenging, and intriguing as Wittgenstein’s own vast body of work.