estebangonzalez10 "I decided to stop pitying myself. Other than my eye, two things aren't paralyzed, my imagination and my memory."Julian Schnabel's French film, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, is a powerful and emotional film about a man suffering from locked-in syndrome due to a stroke. Despite having his mental faculties intact, he is almost completely paralyzed and unable to communicate with the outside world. The once successful magazine editor is now living as a prisoner of his own body. The only muscle he is capable of moving is his left eye and with the help of a therapist he manages to communicate by blinking his eye. Mathieu Amalric gives a powerful performance as Jean- Dominique Bauby, and most of the film takes place from his point of view. Schnabel brilliantly and effectively uses camera angles to give the audience a glimpse of what this person's claustrophobic world was like. From the very opening scene we are hooked and drawn to Jean- Do's new world as he's trapped in his body. It is a very emotional film based on the autobiography written by Bauby himself who managed to write the book with the help of his therapist through the use of a communication system they developed. The sole fact that this man was able to write a book in the condition he was in, is reason enough for me to want to read his book or see a movie based on his life. It takes a lot of courage to open up the way Jean-Do did, and I think it is one of the main reasons why this film worked so well for audiences across the globe. It says a lot about how powerless we are against these illnesses, but at the same time we can also share Jean-Do's approach of learning to deal with his disability and facing the obstacles with optimism. He realized that despite being physically disabled he still had his mental faculties and was able to break those boundaries with the power of his imagination. I am also certain that this element is what caught director Schnabel's attention and what pushed him to make this film. He tells the story with such class that despite the emotional moments you never feel he was trying to be manipulative or force the audience into feeling a certain way. The performances in this film are also outstanding, making this an even more engaging movie. I also loved the beautiful imagery that Schnabel used, turning the film into a poem at times. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly was a personal film for me considering that my father is going through a slightly similar experience as the character in this film. He suffered a stroke four years ago and hasn't been able to speak since. The right side of his body was paralyzed, but with help from therapy he has been able to walk again. Despite not being able to speak he understands everything and communicates with us through signs and facial expressions. The brave way in which he has managed to face his illness by always being in good spirits and not letting the disease get the best of him is a constant reminder for me of how much our attitude influences the way we approach life. He could be feeling sorry for himself, or he can stay positive and continue to improve with therapy in a similar way that Jean-Do did with his locked in syndrome. Having your mental capabilities intact is a major force considering you can escape those limitations in your mind and let your imagination fly. In a way, it was a turning point for Jean-Do when he realized this and Schnabel managed to capture those moments really well on camera. The scenes he shares with his family members are among my favorite in the film. I loved the scene in which he's in the beach with his ex-wife and kids. It is such an emotional scene but at the same time it felt authentic and real. The scenes with his father, played by Max von Sydow, are also extremely powerful and effective. You rarely see a biopic like this one, and Schnabel deserves all the credit for making an original and moving picture.

jackasstrange 'Le Scaphandre et le Papillon' is arguable one of the most beautiful films that I've ever seen. I was expecting some kind of weird depressing drama but what I got here...unbelievable. What a punch in the face. I mean, what a GOOD punch in the face...It's far from being a weird depressing and dry drama. What I got here was a poetic masterpiece comparable to Shakespeare's greatest works, and a character's deconstruction in the likes of Dostoyevsky!The film is always narrated, and by the protagonist himself. We listen his thoughts so carefully that one would describe it as mesmerizing. Mesmerize the viewer, in fact, is something that most films can't do. Maybe it's because the power the protagonist have in making apparently simple situations turns in a poetry class, which is extremely appealing to me. Also, I've never seen a character study mixed with Shakespeare and extreme existentialism before, and probably I won't see something alike outside THAT film. The vivid cinematography and the smart and 'contemporany' feel in the direction gives a whole new atmosphere to the film. The acting is very good, I mean, It's easy to Mathieu Amalric stand in a place and do nothing, but his eyes's expressions are what really counts and in the film it was good. They say everything you need to know. While isn't a 'excellent' work, we shall agree it was very well-done and convincing.I guarantee, this film is a masterpiece. This film needs to be watched. 10/10

Seamus Harley This has to be one of the most amazing movies ever made. The cinematography is sublime as well as the soundtrack. While on the whole the movie is really moving, it is also quite humorous at times and it leaves you with an overwhelming feeling once you have watched it for the first time and tell everyone else about it. Mathieu Amalric's portrayal of Jean-Dominique Bauby is perfect and due to the way the film is shot, you can really identify the main character's emotional turmoil, frustrations and fantasies. Why this hasn't won more awards than it has is truly a mystery, definitely one of the finest French movies of all time if not the finest movie ever full stop.

Rich Wright Based on a true story of a young French fashion editor who had a stroke and ending up unable to move a muscle in his body as a result, it's an inspiring tale of guts and determination. Suffering from a condition known as Locked In Syndrome, he manages to communicate with the help of a driven speech therapist and even starts to write a book, coincidentally enough, with the same name as this movie. You see, metaphorically speaking he's in this 'Diving Bell' underwater so he can't budge an inch, but his imagination 'The Butterfly' is free to roam. Meh, you'll understand it when you're older.I can only imagine the horror of being stuck in a lifeless husk of a body... I think I'd want to die. The guy is far braver than I am.... every day people bathe him, dress him, assist him with his toilet functions... and yet he still manages to smile and retain his rather dark sense of humour. Either that or go insane, I suppose. We see his life before the tragedy, and there is rather a sad irony in his actions in the past, considering his current status. Could this be a form of cosmic justice?Mathieu Amalric is breathtakingly good as the paraplegic lead. A lot of the movie is shot from his POV, and we get a real feel for his character as he experiences ups and downs while adjusting to his new outlook on life. Emmanuelle Seigner is just plain adorable as the lady who helps him find his voice... she's so pretty, you can see how he mistakes her for an angel at first glance. As a triumph over adversity flick, it's a good 'un, and lacks the cheese factor you would associate with an American entry into this genre. Recommended. 7/10