The Professor (Film)

“The Professor” (known in some countries as “Richard Says Goodbye”), a 2018 drama and black comedy film, is directed and written by Wayne Roberts and stars Johnny Depp in the lead role. The film tells the touching and rebellious story of a university professor who, after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, decides to spend the remainder of his life breaking all rules.

Plot

English professor Richard Brown (Johnny Depp) learns he has advanced-stage lung cancer with only six months to live. Upon receiving this shocking diagnosis, he resolves to spend the rest of his life honestly, freely, and far removed from all social expectations. This new philosophy of life profoundly affects both his personal life and academic career.

He begins holding his classes outside the traditional classroom setting—in parks or bars—urging his students to truly “live” life. At the same time, he confronts painful truths in his troubled relationships with his unfaithful wife Veronica (Rosemarie DeWitt) and his daughter Olivia (Odessa Young), who struggles to come out as gay to her family. As Richard counts down the days toward death, he embarks on a tragicomic journey of questioning the meaning of life, relationships, and his own existence.

The Professor Film Trailer (YouTube)

Themes

The central theme of the film is confronting death and the “carpe diem” philosophy. “The Professor” reveals how a person can achieve freedom by shedding the roles and expectations imposed by society. The film offers a critical perspective on modern education systems, familial communication breakdowns, and hypocrisy. It explores universal themes such as morality, freedom, regret, and the meaning of love through Richard’s rebellious and melancholic character. The emotional core of the film lies in the process of discovering what truly matters in the final moments of life.

Production and Development

Wayne Roberts wrote and directed the film. This is Roberts’ second feature-length directorial effort. The production was led by Greg Shapiro and Braden Aftergood. The world premiere took place on October 5, 2018, at the Zurich Film Festival.

Filming occurred in 2017 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The New England campus atmosphere depicted in the film was created using locations such as Royal Roads University and the University of British Columbia. The film’s somber and contemplative mood is enhanced by the cinematography of Tim Orr and the original score composed by Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner.

Characters and Cast

• Richard Brown – Johnny Depp: A witty and melancholic literature professor who dismantles all rules in the final months of his life.

• Veronica Sinclair-Brown – Rosemarie DeWitt: Richard’s wife, who is involved in an affair with the university dean. She confronts the issues in her marriage after Richard’s diagnosis.

• Olivia Brown – Odessa Young: The daughter of Richard and Veronica, who struggles to reveal her sexual identity to her family.

• Peter Matthew – Danny Huston: Richard’s closest friend and the dean of the university where he teaches. He is also in a relationship with Veronica.

• Claire – Zoey Deutch: One of Richard’s students. She forms a special bond with him and offers him a fresh perspective on life.

• Henry Wright – Ron Livingston: Another academic at the institution where Richard works.

Awards and Nominations

“The Professor” was primarily screened at independent film festivals and did not receive widespread recognition at major award ceremonies.

• National Film and TV Awards, USA (2019)
• • Nomination – Best Actor: Johnny Depp
  • Nomination – Best Independent Film