Tom & Viv is a 1994 historical drama film directed by Brian Gilbert, based on the 1984 play of the same name by British playwright Michael Hastings about the early love life of American poet T. S. Eliot. The film stars Willem Dafoe, Miranda Richardson, Rosemary Harris, Tim Dutton, and Nickolas Grace. Premise The film tells the story of the relationship between T. S. Eliot and his first wife, Vivienne Haigh-Wood Eliot. They were married in 1915 after a brief courtship and, although they separated in 1933, they never divorced. Cast Willem Dafoe ... T. S. Eliot Miranda Richardson ... Vivienne Haigh-Wood Eliot Rosemary Harris ... Rose Robinson Haigh-Wood Tim Dutton ... Maurice Haigh-Wood Nickolas Grace ... Bertrand Russell Geoffrey Bayldon ... Harwent Clare Holman ... Louise Purdon Philip Locke ... Charles Haigh-Wood Joanna McCallum ... Virginia Woolf Joseph O'Conor ... Bishop of Oxford John Savident ... Sir Frederick Lamb Michael Attwell ... W. I. Janes Sharon Bower ... Secretary Linda Spurrier.... Edith Sitwell Roberta Taylor ... Ottoline Morrell Christopher Baines ... Verger Anna Chancellor ... Woman John Clegg ... Second Man James Greene ... Dr. Cryiax Simon McBurney ... Dr. Reginald Miller Reception The film received mixed reviews. It holds a 36% approval rating on review aggregate Rotten Tomatoes, based on 14 reviews, with an average rating of 5.20/10. Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly praised the performances, but gave the film a B−, saying '[it] is the kind of sodden, tasteful, here-are-a-few-nasty-warts-to-chew-on biography that raises as many dramatic questions as it answers.' Derek Elley of Variety admired the film's artistic aspirations and production values, but called it, 'a handsomely appointed but overly starchy love story that attains real clout only in the final reel.' Awards The film was nominated for Academy Awards in the categories Best Actress in a Leading Role (Miranda Richardson) and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Rosemary Harris). Year-end lists 9th – National Board of Review References External links 1994 films 1990s biographical drama films 1990s historical films American biographical drama films British biographical drama films Biographical films about writers T. S. Eliot I.R.S. Media films Biographical films about poets Films about Nobel laureates 1994 drama films Films directed by Brian Gilbert 1990s English-language films 1990s American films 1990s British films