Review of The Sea Inside (2004) by Brendan P — 11 May 2009

Although The Sea Inside doesn't focus enough on the morality of euthanasia to be much of a social statement, and it isn't well structured enough to be a very effecting character study, the film's emotionally weighty subject matter still make it a moving watch.

Javier Bardem continues to impress me with the range in his work, and he really does make you sympathize for his plight, despite the lack of insight in the screenplay as to his reasons for wanting to take his own life.

The rest of the cast dedicate themselves fully to the material, and never miss a beat despite the odd miscue in the written dialogue. Director Alejandro Amenabar shows some moments of tremendous ingenuity, and captures all the character moments in a rather eloquent fashion.

This is a great movie, but relative to an easily comparable piece like Julian Shcnabell's The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, it's hard not to be disappointed by the lack of a really profound emotional film experience.