Review of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007) by Sabrina I — 16 Feb 2011

A stunning film about a man who has suffered from a stroke and how he copes with it. I can't think of many films that completely put us in the head of a patient like this one does. We can hear his inner most thoughts and are seeing the world from his point of view.

The film is shot in extreme close-ups, giving the audience an intimacy that perhaps otherwise wouldn't be there. In the beginning our character - Jean is quite shocked and confused about what is going on.

He wakes up in a hospital surrounded by doctors and nurses. He can't believe what is happening. He first expresses indifference to his situation. He is not fully accepting it and wants to give up on life.

As the film goes on, he tires to find the inner strength to overcome his situation. There are moments where he reverts back to memories of his past and comes to terms with it. At one point, he says he can't do anything.

.everything is taken away from him except his imagination. We are thrown into his inner-most thoughts and are treated with some arresting images of his world away from the daily life that he has to live.

With his family around him giving him strength and hope he starts to write a book about his experiences. The film at this stage switches from being completely from his point of view to only some scenes.

I felt like some people might find this to be less intimate though I felt it wasn't. We are still connected with our character through his thoughts. That is what is important - he is still our narrator.

There are some very touching and sad moments in this film that presents the reality of living a life so different from what you were, what you had. 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly' is a stunning example of how powerful films can be.