Review: The Diving Bell And The Butterfly

By: The Dweeb

April 2008

DVD Features Video: 1.85:1 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 - Submerged: The Making Of The Diving Bell And The Butterfly - A Cinematic Vision - Audio Commentary With Director Julian Schnabel - Charlie Rose Interviews Julian Schnabel Theatrical release: 5/23/2007 DVD released on 4/29/2008 by Miramax Running time of 112 minutes Starring: Max Von Sydow, Niels Arestrup, Olatz Lopez Garmendia, Marie-Josee Croze, Marina Hands, Anne Consigny, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Emmanuelle Seigner, Isaach De Bankole, Mathieu Amalric, Patrick Chesnais Director: Julian Schnabel Plot: Elle France editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who, in 1995 at the age of 43, suffered a stroke that paralyzed his entire body, except his left eye. Using that eye to blink out his memoir, Bauby eloquently described the aspects of his interior world, from the psychological torment of being trapped inside his body to his imagined stories from lands he’d only visited in his mind.

I seem to be in some sort of theme or pattern here in my choice of films to watch lately. The Diving Bell And The Butterfly is a moving and powerful film, but again like Cloverfield it is shot from the perspective of a single character. Although not as frustrating to watch (as there are no dumb people here), legendary cinematographer Janusz Kaminski (of many Spielberg projects) gives us a break in flashback sequences and other 3rd person perspective shots to help convey the story. And what a story it is, the translation of Jean-Dominique Bauby’s experiences as a man trapped inside his body with only one functioning eyelid to communicate to the outside world. It is powerful, moving, and by the end of watching the film it makes you think long and hard about the fragility of life. The fact that in one instant, a person could be changed forever.

Its no surprise that this film was nominated for multiple Oscars this year, and not even in the foreign film category. That’s a testament to the powerfu l story it conveys, the Academy membership thought it deserves to be elevated beyond that category and brought front and center. Especially deserving is the fantastic use of cinematography to show us, the audience, what it is like to see the world when one is paralyzed and no one can hear you talk except yourself. The camera work is simply amazing, taking advantage of the natural light making for surreal dreamy landscapes and for interiors bringing us close in almost to the point of claustrophobia. You feel as if you were drowning along with him. What would he do now? What would you do in this situation?

Mathieu Amalric does an amazing job portraying Jean-Dominique, the difference between his past normal self and current paralyzed state is staggering. He brings an emotional rollercoaster ride to the film. One moment he is coming to terms with his situation, and in the next he finds humor. Although he is trapped inside himself, he still clings to what makes him human, and instead of giving up on life (which he did at first) he decides to send a message to the world that he is still here, still able to leave his mark in life. “I decided to stop pitying myself. Other than my eye, two things aren’t paralyzed, my imagination and my memory.” He goes off and dreams of the days past, and also to pass time he creates fantasy situations in which he is the center of the universe and everything is all right. This is his only form of escape. You start to really feel his pain, and hope that by the end of the film that he will somehow come out of this paralysis. But alas, we know as the audience that this probably won’t happen.

As I said, the film is beautifully shot and staged, especially the fantasy sequences. They are so clear, and yet reality to him is one big blur, from viewing out of one eye naturally. The film also comes with a short list of extras on the DVD. They help give more insight into the director, which I knew nothing about and his background as a painter. That actually explains a lot in the production design of this film. Also included is director Julian Schnabel’s interview on the Charlie Rose show, a definite must see.

Overall, I have to say this is a wonderful film that should be seen. Do not let the subtitles scare you off (it is in French), there is no language barrier here. After viewing this film, it will make you think about life and how to live it to the fullest because you never know whats around the corner.

Reviewer’s Opinion: RENT IT!!