"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" Review

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
Directed by: Julian Schnabel
Written by: Ronald Harwood
Based on the novel of the same name by Jean-Dominique Bauby
Starring: Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Marie-Josée Croze, Anne Consigny, Max von Sydow,  Olatz López Garmendia, and Patrick Chesnais
Review by Jennie Brouse

Synopsis: When successful, rich magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby (also known as Jean-Do) has a massive stroke at 42 years of age, he has the terrible misfortune of getting locked-in syndrome, a syndrome that leaves its victims paralyzed from head to toe. 

Review: To begin, I'd like to say that this was a beautiful story.  All the camera work by Janusz Kaminski is wonderful.   For a good part of the movie, we are seeing the world through Jean-Do's eyes, beginning when he wakes up in the hospital and two different doctors tell him two totally different versions of his condition.  While one tells him that he'll be fine and that his speech will come back, the other tells him the the disheartening truth: he's paralyzed from head to toe and is not able to speak.  To make matters worse, his right eye has to be sewn up because it's septic and is in danger of infection.  At first, the viewer feels absolutely devastated for Jean-Do, and he feels immense pity for himself.  Again, the camera work and effects are absolutely divine. 

Fortunately, Jean-Do has people there who want to work with him to better his situation.  One of his nurses who is hired to help him with his speech comes up with a method of speaking for Jean-Do, where he has to blink his left eye to convey messages to people.  The nurse reads Jean-Do a chart of all of the letters in the alphabet (beginning with the most common letter) and he has to blink when the correct letter is said.  This happens over and over until Jean-Do's conveyed message is told.  I don't know if it's just me, but this method of communication is absolutely incredible.  Before this movie, I'd never heard of anything like it.  Although it would be extremely difficult to only be able to communicate with others through your left eye, it's comforting to know that it's possible.

In addition to showing Jean-Do's life in the hospital, there are scenes from his life before the stroke, such as when he goes to a photoshoot and the viewer can see his glamorous life as Elle magazine editor, when he goes to visit his ex-wife and his three children, and a scene where he gives his father a shave and they discuss Jean-Do's future endeavors in life.  These scenes are also particularly devastating, maybe even more so than the scenes of Jean-Do in the hospital.  They are devastating because the viewer gets a glimpse into the life Jean-Do had before his stroke, all the possibilities and opportunities he could've had or taken before his ultimate fate.

Although the viewer may believe that the hospital scenes would be boring and just plain depressing to watch, they are actually quite interesting.  These scenes serve to show how Jean-Do handles his new life and the difficulties he has to go through just to live with a paralyzed body.  Although this sounds really depressing, it's actually really uplifting.  Even with his condition, Jean-Do ends up writing a book about his experience.

In addition to the excellent camera work and plot, the soundtrack was superb.  I practically jumped for joy upon realizing they used the instrumentals from The Velvet Underground's "Pale Blue Eyes."  I also enjoyed all of the beautiful French music.

I was also impressed by the performances of the actors, especially Jean-Do (played by Mathieu Amalric), and his ex-wife (played by Emmanuelle Seigner), as well as the doctor (played by Patrick Chesnais) who tells Jean-Do the dire situation of his condition.  I also have to give immense kudos to the actors for being able act so well while looking directly at the camera (so the audience is seeing through Jean-Do's eyes). 

Overall, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is an absolutely beautiful, inspiring film.  It's one of the best of the decade.

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Upcoming Review: Most likely Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)