“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”
Starring: Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Max von Sydow
3.5 stars out of 4
“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” is the true and inspiring story of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who at the age of 43 suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed except for his left eye. Bauby couldn’t speak, or move, but could still use his brain to function. The film directed by Julian Schnabel, is in the perspective of Bauby’s left eye most of the film, as we are left feeling claustrophobic just as Bauby is. The rare disease that occupies his body is called “locked in syndrome,” and everyone except for Bauby believes in him to overcome it.
Bauby is played by the French actor Mathieu Amalric who can be seen as the villain in the next Bond movie. In a brave and restrained performance that feels authentic and heartbreaking. Bauby’s body is trapped and he is stuck in it, much like a diver floating in the ocean. Before the stroke, Bauby was a charismatic man; he’s divorced from his wife, but still sees his 3 young children. They visit him in the hospital and comfort him on the beach for Fathers Day. Bauby is also visited by 2 nurses daily who help him write his memoir, they dictate the alphabet to him and he blinks his eye for what letter he wants. Its truly remarkable how Bauby’s spirits kept him intact and able to push through this tragedy, he uses his mind and imagination to create places he would like to go, see or experience. His envisions are breathtaking, he places himself on a beach, or skiing down a steep mountain, or floating through a vast field of weeds as a butterfly.
The direction by Julian Schnabel has garnered much attention, for its bravery and immense attention to detail. He shoots scenes with an artistic and original eye, this story is personal to him, and that’s how he treats it. Schnabel upset the Coen Brothers at the Golden Globes for best director, and his momentum should get him an Oscar nomination.
If foreign films aren’t your cup of tea, there’s a good chance that this film may be one to sway your decision. The storytelling is so real and profound that I felt like I was in Bauby’s condition. I also appreciated the respect the film-makers had for the audience. Any other film would have went down the clichéd road and tried to pry away at the audiences tear ducts with one emotional scene after another, although this film is very emotional without being pretentious, most of the film is told in a straightforward manner.
The film has been praised by critics nationwide, and made the AFI’s top 10 films of the year. It’s in limited release as of now, but may come to Youngstown after it receives several Oscar nominations.
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