Surprisingly incoherent and boring

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Crafted with sincerity, told with compassion & retaining its radiant spirit from start to finish, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is an aesthetically pleasing & emotionally fulfilling tale that's tragic, touching & transcending, and despite its heartbreaking premise, manages to provide a cinematic experience that's life-affirming.Based on the memoir of the same name, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly tells the story of Jean- Dominique Bauby after he suffers a massive stroke that renders him paralysed from head to toe. Being able to communicate by blinking his only functioning eye, the plot covers the monumental task he undertakes to write a book, one letter at a time.Directed by Julian Schnabel, the first act of the film is shot entirely from Bauby's perspective that puts the viewers in the protagonist's shoes, allows them to experience the confusion & frustration that he's feeling, and broadens out once the extent of his damage is fully revealed. It's no doubt a smart technique, for it instantly brings the audience on the same wavelength as Bauby.Although majority of the plot unfolds inside the hospital, the story does move out in a much more serene environment as plot progresses and those scenes are gorgeously photographed. Utilising unconventional angles which only work out in its favour, the film also lets us in on his inner voice, sheds more light on his past, and never shies away from showcasing his undeterred imagination.Coming to the acting department, Mathieu Amalric plays Jean-Dominique Bauby from inside out and is absolutely fantastic in the given role. Having nothing but an eye to shape his performance, it's amazing what Amalric pulls off here, for his work isn't just expressive & evocative but amusing as well, when it's meant to be. And he's brilliantly supported by the rest of the cast who play their part responsibly.On an overall scale, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a spiritually elevating tale that beautifully illustrates the power of imagination and is an uplifting account of the indomitable will of the human spirit to overcome near-impossible odds. Wonderfully directed, sensibly scripted, exquisitely shot, patiently edited & splendidly performed, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is discomforting but it's also inspiring. One of the best films of its year.

The real story of Elle magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who had a stroke and is paralyzed. He has no control over his body except for the left eye. This is definitely an amazing cinematic experience. Almost 45 minutes of the movie in the POV of the paralyzed protagonist. This will make you to feel his helplessness and suffocation. The renowned DOP Janusz Kaminski has done a wonderful job to communicate this feeling. Director Julian Schnabel, actor Mathieu Amalric and all others made a very well impact in the movie.The movie is sad, but give you an energy and motivation to live. Watching this movie will change your views of life at least for some days. When you are so frustrated and tired of life, this is one of the films recommended.Do not miss this movie. Highly Recommended!

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007): Dir: Julian Schnabel / Cast: Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Max Von Sydow, Marie-Josee Croze, Anne Consigny: Depressing yet provocative film about freedom of mind and body. It is the true story of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby whose life halts when he awakens from a coma. He can hear and understand but unable to communicate. Director Julian Schnabel does a fantastic job at emphasizing immobility. The feeling isn't pleasant even for the viewer but that is precisely why the film works. Mathieu Amalric brilliantly plays off the paralysis. He uses his eyes to indicate communication but his fate is more a relief to the audience when they would likely prefer the same thing. Emmanuelle Seigner plays the mother of his three children who sticks by him thick and thin. Max Von Sydow plays his father whose own memory is fading. He can sympathize with his son but within his own disability he is at similar loss. Marie-Josee Croze displays the patience of a social worker. Her highlight is the techniques she teaches him in his process of effective communication. The role is fairly straight forward but Croze nails it creating a scene stealing performance. Anne Consigny also makes an appearance. Film gives strong sense of being paralyzed, which makes it more effective than pleasant. Score: 8 / 10

France is teaching us how to create beautiful and artistic cinematic masterpieces, and its strongest example yet is "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." This true story is about a man named Jean-Do who suffers a seizure that causes his entire body to be paralyzed except for his left eye. Jean-Do is still cognitive and was a very successful editor for the fashion magazine "elle" who had many different lovers, two children, and wealth. Jean-Do experiences many beautiful memories and thoughts through the power of imagination after getting a detailed background of his life and health situation. His ex lover and mother of his children, Celine, visits and takes care of him often, while he misses his current lover and aged father. Jean-Do also is powered by the faces of beautiful nurses who help him and get to understand him by blinking his left eye while they say letters, noting that when he blinks the previous letter was chosen in his constructing word. Director Julian Schnabel makes you see the world through the eyes of Jean-Do himself and creates shots that are so unique that you'll think "How did he do that?" We see the world through the eyes of a physically weak man, but get the thoughts of a powerful and vibrant man with strong feelings and emotions about love and happiness with help from skilled cinematographers. The beauty of each flashback makes us feel grateful for being able to live life with freedom and ability to do whatever we want. We also get to see the formations and failure of various relationships in Jean-Do's life that are very relatable. The perks of parenthood, marriage, and fraternal connections are examined with the perfect amount of screen-time. This masterpiece is set up perfectly and put together in fantastic order to bring you one of the most beautiful and well-constructed foreign films of all time. The beauty of "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" is full of rich symbolism and talented film-makers that you'll be grateful to live and achieve everything you've ever wanted. Live life the best you can, never take anything for granted, and find the beauty in everything, that's the messages we are sent from a work of art that is one of cinema's strongest icons.