The Professor

The film takes place primarily in Oxford, England, home to the prestigious university where the Oxford English Dictionary is compiled. Key scenes also occur at Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, where Dr. William Chester Minor is institutionalized. The story spans both the United Kingdom and extends to connections in the United States.

The film spans from 1857 to 1915, set during the late Victorian and post-Victorian eras. This period was marked by significant linguistic evolution and growing interest in documenting the English language, reflecting the cultural values of expanding English-speaking communities and emerging mental health awareness.

The film depicts Sir James Murray's monumental undertaking to create the definitive Oxford English Dictionary. This ambitious project involves gathering words and their origins from a vast network of volunteer contributors over decades, becoming both a personal journey and a revealing look at Victorian society and the power of language.

The film explores three interconnected themes: Language, which depicts the power of words to connect disparate lives; Redemption, shown through Dr. Minor's quest for atonement for his past crimes; and Companionship, reflecting the bonds formed between Murray, Minor, and others despite their struggles. These themes intertwine through the dictionary project.

Dr. William Chester Minor is a former army surgeon confined to Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum after killing a man while experiencing a mental health crisis. Despite his institutionalization, he contributes to the dictionary and seeks redemption. His character represents the complexities of mental health in the Victorian era and the human need for purpose and atonement.

Sir James Murray is the dedicated linguist portrayed by Ron Livingston who undertakes the massive task of compiling the Oxford English Dictionary. Despite facing skepticism from peers, he remains steadfast in his mission while navigating family obligations and academic expectations, embodying resilience throughout the decades-long project.

Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum serves as the pivotal location where Dr. William Chester Minor is confined. It underscores the struggles of mental health patients in the Victorian era and provides the backdrop for Minor's journey toward redemption through his contributions to the dictionary, highlighting the era's evolving attitudes toward mental illness.

The film offers a nuanced portrayal of mental health through Dr. Minor's character, depicting his struggles with guilt, trauma, and institutionalization. The narrative shows the evolving medical attitudes of the Victorian era, presenting mental illness with empathy while exploring themes of redemption and the human need for meaningful contribution despite personal adversity.

The film carries a melancholic tone, focusing on themes of fractured sanity, tragic pasts, and the immense burden of a lifelong project. While the pacing is slow and methodical, reflecting the decades-long dictionary compilation, the presence of compassion and intellectual achievement provides a counterbalance, resulting in a bittersweet emotional quality.

Language serves as the bridge between vastly different characters, Sir James Murray, Dr. Minor, and others, uniting them through the shared goal of documenting English. Their collaboration on the dictionary becomes a vehicle for understanding, empathy, and personal healing, demonstrating how words can connect disparate lives and facilitate redemption.

Ada Murray is Sir James Murray's wife, portrayed by Linda Emond. She represents the sacrifices made by partners of those with ambitious aspirations. While frustrated by her husband's dedication to the dictionary project, she bridges gaps between Murray and Minor, playing a supportive yet complex role in the narrative.