Review of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007) by Nick C — 19 Oct 2009

Had no idea what this was about other than it had received very positive reviews from critics. Only when the end credits rolled did I realize it was a true story. I prefer to have this knowledge beforehand, in truth it does affect my perception.

But should it? I think it only helps when I know events unfolding happened to people in real life, plus it sometimes helps my patience during slower parts. 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly' is very deliberately paced but I was never bored as the story is told with such realism, often shot from the perspective of a completely paralyzed man, that in the back of my mind I had a hunch this was based on a real person.

A testament to the power of the mind's ability to escape from the trappings of the body, the metaphysical's triumph over the physical.