The Professor (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Professor is a 2019 comedy drama directed by Wayne Roberts, starring Linda Emond as Barbara, Johnny Depp and Rosemarie DeWitt. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $3.6 million worldwide on a $25 million budget. Critics gave it 39% on Rotten Tomatoes and 37 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Director
- Wayne Roberts
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Saban Films
- Budget
- $25M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Professor About?
The premise of The Professor without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 19th-century England, Professor James Murray undertakes the ambitious project of creating the definitive Oxford English Dictionary. His meticulous work involves gathering words and their origins from a vast network of volunteer contributors. As he navigates the complexities of language and the diverse individuals involved, the endeavor becomes a revealing look at Victorian society, the power of words, and the challenges of a monumental undertaking.
The Professor Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- dictionary
- widow
- scot
- american
- prison guard
- oxford university
- 19th century
- 1870s
- prisoner
- insane asylum
- redemption
- schizophrenia
+38 more Show fewer
- army doctor
- killing
- winston churchill character
- lexicographer
- oxford english dictionary
- opening action scene
- insanity
- writer
- historical drama
- period piece
- victorian era
- broadmoor
- prison drama
- psychological drama
- social commentary
- war flashback
- prison visitor
- alienist
- painter as artist
- honorary doctorate
- children
- teaching someone to read
- philologist
- logophile
- prison superintendent
- headmaster
- etymology
- book editor
- catalepsy
- scriptorium
- william chester minor character
- undesirable alien
- banishment
- extradition order to united states
- field hockey
- polyglot
- literature
- not guilty by reason of insanity
The Professor Cast & Characters
Linda Emond leads the cast as Barbara, with Johnny Depp as Richard and Rosemarie DeWitt as Veronica. Directed by Wayne Roberts; 13 actors are credited in all.
- Director Wayne Roberts
-
Linda Emond as Barbara -
Johnny Depp as Richard -
Rosemarie DeWitt as Veronica -
Danny Huston as Peter
Also Starring in The Professor
· 9 more- Ron Livingston Henry
- Zoey Deutch Claire
- Odessa Young Olivia
- Kaitlyn Bernard Taylor
- Siobhan Fallon
- Matreya Scarrwener Rose
- Paloma Kwiatkowski Unnamed Student
- Justine Warrington Waitress
- Devon Terrell Danny
More from Wayne Roberts
One more film directed by Wayne Roberts: Katie Says Goodbye.
The Professor Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Professor 39% on Rotten Tomatoes and 37 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 48/100, strongest in character & emotion (60) and weakest in story & flow (45).
The Professor Echo Score Breakdown
The Professor delivers a mixed viewing experience balanced between a committed central performance and uneven storytelling. Critics frequently fault the narrative’s pacing and underdeveloped supporting roles, while users appreciate the emotional authenticity and dark humor. The film’s cautious visual style and modest soundtrack further reinforce its subdued tone. Despite moments of warmth, the uneven script and direction limit its overall impact.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 45
In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits a restrained visual approach that often trades impact for symmetry. Critics note the cautious framing and stifled compositions, and there are few memorable production design flourishes. Editing choices maintain clarity but rarely heighten drama. Overall, the subdued visual execution supports the subdued tone but lacks standout artistry.
- Character & Emotion 60
When it comes to character and emotion, Johnny Depp’s performance draws consistent praise for its intensity and vulnerability. However, critics find several supporting roles underwritten and few interactions truly convincing. Some moments of genuine warmth emerge, especially in the protagonist’s personal revelations, but uneven character development undermines sustained emotional resonance. Overall, the film relies heavily on its lead without fully realizing its ensemble.
- Story & Flow 45
In terms of story and flow, the narrative’s premise of a terminal diagnosis presents potential for depth but suffers from inconsistent pacing. Critics frequently describe the plot as meandering with clichés dominating the homestretch, while some viewers appreciate its didactic elements. Originality is limited by familiar midlife crisis tropes. Overall, the script’s uneven structure and lack of compelling twists impede engagement.
- Sensory Experience 50
When examining the sensory experience, the score and sound design remain serviceable yet seldom distinctive. The visual style adheres to a muted palette, reinforcing the film’s reflective mood but contributing little surprise. Soundtrack selections support key emotional beats without overshadowing them. Overall, the sensory elements are competent but stop short of creating a memorable audiovisual identity.
- Rewatch Factor 55
In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s thematic focus on living authentically resonates for some viewers, suggesting repeat viewings for those drawn to character study. However, the uneven storytelling and limited stylistic flair reduce its replay value. While moments of emotional clarity may invite a second look, the overall experience may not sustain repeated engagement.
-
IMDb 7.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 39% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 80%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 37 Metascore
User score 7.6
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 69% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.2 /5
138 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.4 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Professor Plot Summary
What happens in The Professor from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film intricately delves into the life of the esteemed professor, Sir James Murray, who in the year 1857 embarked on the monumental responsibility of compiling the Oxford English Dictionary. His journey intertwines with that of Dr. William Chester Minor, a former army surgeon from the United States whose life took a dark turn, leading him to submit over 10,000 entries for the dictionary while confined in the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum. In a tumultuous past marked by paranoia and tragedy, Minor mistakenly took the life of an innocent man, believing him to be a stalker, which resulted in his detention as he grappled with fractured sanity.
Full summary
The whole story of The Professor, scene by scene
The Professor Box Office & Budget
The Professor grossed $3.6 million worldwide on a $25 million budget, 15% of what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$3.6M
15% of its budget back
- International
- $3.6M
- Budget
- $25M
The Professor Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Professor.
How Well Do You Know The Professor?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who played the role of Sir James Murray in 'The Professor'?
Cars in The Professor
3 cars on screen, including the 1984 Mercedes-Benz W123 and the Volvo XC70.
-
1984 Mercedes-Benz W123 Important role -
Volvo XC70 Minor role -
2000 Toyota Camry Background role
The Professor Also Known As
31 alternative titles, including “Richard Says Goodbye” and “Професор”.
- Also known as
-
- Richard Says Goodbye
- Професор
- Ричард прощается
- 더 프로페서
- Професорът
- Ричард казва сбогом
- Richard mówi do widzenia
- Les Derniers Jours de Monsieur Brown
- El Profesor
- Richard dice adiós
- グッバイ、リチャード!:2018
- Ричард казва довиждане
+19 more Show fewer
- Во всё тяжкое
- 수상한 교수
- Arrivederci professore
- Річард говорить "Прощавай"
- 教授
- Adeus
- Profesor
- Ποτέ δεν είναι Αργά Κύριε Καθηγητά
- 人生消極掰
- پروفسور
- מסיבת הפרידה של ריצ'ארד
- Ričards atvadās
- Näkemiin professori
- Poslední semestr
- Richard búcsút mond
- Ričardas atsisveikina, პროფესორი
- Profesorul
- グッバイ、リチャード!
- En Richard diu adeu
Seen The Professor?
Movies Like The Professor
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Professor and the Madman, The Oxford Murders and The Oxford Murders.
The Professor FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Professor, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Professor?
The Professor runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was The Professor released?
The Professor was released on May 17, 2019.
Who directed The Professor?
The Professor was directed by Wayne Roberts.
More films by Wayne Roberts Who is in the cast of The Professor?
The Professor stars Linda Emond as Barbara, Johnny Depp as Richard and Rosemarie DeWitt as Veronica, among 13 credited actors.
How much did The Professor make at the box office?
The Professor grossed $3.6 million worldwide on a budget of $25 million.
How is The Professor rated?
The Professor has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 39% on Rotten Tomatoes, 37 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.
Does The Professor have a post-credit scene?
No. The Professor has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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