User Reviews

I found this movie fascinating, although a bit hard to watch in parts, mainly when they sewed up one of his eyes much against his wishes which, of course, they couldn't hear. You can only imagine how incredibly frustrating and upsetting it must have been, being stuck there in a bleak/bland hospital rather in the middle of nowhere, a town that he wasn't much keen on, not being able to communicate minus via a one blink for yes and two blinks for no system. He has speech therapists who are very enthusiastic about helping him 'speak' and communicate, although he initially doesn't share their enthusiasm, particularly after believing his physical state is temporary and then having to deal with the shock of seeing himself in a mirror. What makes this movie (or/and the book its based on) really work, I feel, is the dialogue - his sarcasm/wit as he narrates the movie, us as viewers hearing what he's thinking while paralysed. He's clearly a witty person and its interesting how he interprets things and his, sometimes particularly strong, reactions to the situations and environments he's placed in. As well as this, we learn alot about him prior to the accident that caused his stroke/paralysis, which of course helps us understand more about his viewpoints. It really is one of those movies that make you count your blessings and I found it interesting to see how the movie developed. Of course there's the worry that it'll be far too depressing, of course this isn't a movie that would strike many people as being very positive, although I can't help but feel like there is an element about it that is somewhat uplifting - the narration and his take on certain things brought me to this conclusion. Something I haven't mention so far is, of course, the fact that this movie is French, so of course you have to rely on subtitles in order to understand it (and yes, I'm sure it'd be possible to make some witty remark about being able to understand the movie in the same way as the characters in the movie struggle to communicate with the main character) but I didn't find this to be a big problem really. I've seen a few movies in other languages, this one I found the subtitles were somehow less tiresome and complicated to keep track of, if that makes sense. I suppose alot of it is visual based and less of it is dependent on catching (or more reading) every word that appears, I feel. The scenes that come from his imagination, (which is one of only 3 elements that he has the use of, the other two being his memory and his one remaining eye) are quite intriguing and I like how, as the movie continues, we learn little by little about him, not only his personal background but about his family and partner and also in the present time, we learn the different reactions from his different friends and relatives who learn of his condition and how both they and him react to this. To summarise, it is quite thought provoking and while it provides some uncomfortable viewing in parts, there is a nice element of optimism somehow which isn't in a patronising way, and I found it overall quite poignant, making a compelling and intriguing watch, so yes I'd say that it was a well made movie which I would recommend to others.

How does it feel to be trapped inside our own body? Honestly, I can't even imagine, it must be stifling. But this is precisely what this film addresses, thanks to a first-person testimony, adapting the autobiographical book written by Jean-Dominique Bauby, editor-in-chief of the fashion magazine Elle, in his last months of life, shortly after a stroke left him totally paralyzed, except for one single eye, which he used to communicate thanks to an ingenious and slow communication system. It is an impressive film, starting with the theme and narrative in the first person. Like him, we started the film without realizing what is going on, but gradually we go, with him, to discover the harsh reality. Bauby was, then, a man in the force of his life and with a reputation as heartthrob, adventurer and sportsman. This abrupt beginning immediately takes us to the environment of the film and to the desolate feeling of that man, who suddenly saw life disappear and confined himself to a bed, where he cannot even move or speak. He's devastating. One of the aspects that draws the most attention in this film is the masterful mastery of shooting techniques and camera angles to show us exactly what that man saw, and to put us directly in his skin. Taking advantage of all the cinematographic techniques, from close-up to blur, we can see through Bauby's only good eye, and that gives the film another kind of impact. The sets and costumes are extraordinarily realistic and give the film all the weight of a true story of suffering, but also of overcoming beyond what could be thought possible. The cast is very good. Being a French film, the language used is, of course, French, but I confess that I quite liked it, since several of the actors involved are regulars in English-speaking films, and it is pleasant to hear them in their native language. Mathieu Amalric is an excellent actor and was perfect in the role of Bauby, and in the way he expressed it, albeit in a static way, without moving, his voice being heard as if it were his thoughts. Emmanuelle Seigner and Marie-Josée Croze are also noteworthy for their positive work.

An engaging, heartbreaking film that is about the celebration of life over the sense of loss.

Slow and boring movie. If you know many movies, you know the outcome and how the main protagonist will change. I wanted to end the movie after 40 minutes and should have done it.

Breathtaking Visual and Dynamic Performance The Scaper and Butterfly is a powerful biographical film .

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly brings a real-time experience for those who has ever wanted to join in the many adventures of this film and has ever wanted to know how much it takes for them to work on something based on something brilliant.

A visually spectacular powerhouse of a true story. One of the best films of the 21st century so far, although the very artistic the style isn't for a lot of tastes, people who are fine with the film's style will certainly have a great time!

I agree with the other negative reviews (of which there are far too few).....this is a very mediocre film about a very unusual tragedy that happened to a rather dull and very successful bourgeois who edits a slick fashion ****- he was very determined to fight back against his cruel **** where is the drama or the interest beyond this point ?......the film runs out of steam very early and director Schnabel really has no idea of what to do with the material.....also Dumas' "The Count of Monte Cristo" isn't really a jaw-dropping masterpiece as Bauby and the film and implies. Martin Pistorius had a similar condition and wrote a far more interesting book about it called "Ghost Boy".

In "The Diving Bell And The Butterfly," the pairing of Julian Schnabel's clever directorial skills and Mathieu Amalric's stellar acting chops results in a truly memorable and brave film with rich thematic threads.

The cinematography is so beautiful, you just wish that the plot went deeper into the questions about life it raises. The storytelling's simplicity does not mirror the visuals' ambiguity.

Right from the very first scene when Jean-Do awakes from a coma to learn that he is paralyzed and unable to speak, we are pulled right into the fear, grief and loneliness that he is enduring. But as he refuses to be a victim locked in his own body, we also share in his joy, love and hope and get a first hand account of his memories and imagination. A truly resonant film that takes you on a journey into one man's unbreakable spirit.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly offers up a kind of harmonic tranquility that's just too good to resist. Watching it is like taking that hot shower after a long, debilitating day, and having that numbing ecstasy wash through your bones.

The French drama film provides an exceptionally powerful message that nothing is as precious as our consciousness through a miraculous and inspirational story **** who lost almost all of his physical senses except for only one, his consciousness. Despite how naturally the story progressed, the movie evokes such powerful inner subject of life that it is difficult not to be aware and realize the fact of how blessed we are to be born and be well at present time. An immensely inspirational film.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly paints a pretty picture that can be brought into a full length film. This inspirational feature is based on a true story about a man who becomes a vegetable for the rest of his life and somehow later can communicate by only blinking one eye, which leads him to pursue his imagination in writing a story. The motifs and symbolism in the film keeps you thinking at first, but once you analyze those motifs, you will understand perfectly as to why those themes are there, including to add the things from the title of the film to the actual plot itself. The use of the camera movement and spaces are natural and unique compared to a typical Hollywood flick, though beware of many extreme-close ups and canted angles in this film if you have a fear of claustrophobic spaces. However those chosen spaces and shots are used for a reasonable purpose. For artistic filmmakers alike, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a must recommend feature to view.

The Diving Bell and The Butterfly is seriously one of the best films I have ever seen, and I am just going to disregard anything anyone is going to say about it. I have never felt so emotional when watching a movie, it is truly beautifully miserable; Not to mention that the acting crew is brilliant.