classicsoncall Ramon's flashback diving scene which caused his injury brought back a tense memory for this viewer. As a teenager, I dove head first into a shallow pool and smacked my chin on the concrete bottom. It was the first and only time I ever saw stars, which I can attest is a very real thing. It was also very scary, because at that moment, I realized I could have permanently injured myself or even died, as there was no one else around to save me if the event were of a more serious nature. It also taught me how fragile life can be, for in an instant, as in Ramon's case, one's entire humanity can be turned upside down or made even worse. I haven't thought about that incident in a long time, but the movie brought it all back in searing detail.No matter what side you fall on regarding assisted suicide, this movie will give you pause and food for thought. The arguments offered by opposing ideologies are thought provoking and compelling. My own view is that a rational person has the right to make such a momentous, though final decision. I stress the word rational in that comment. I never thought about the issue brought up by Ramon's courtroom attorney arguing his position, that of an unsuccessful person attempting to take their own life. That person is never brought up on charges, but if suicide is the equivalent to murder, why would that not be the case? But then, in finding one guilty, what would the penalty be? Can a person be executed for trying to kill himself? The whole idea sounds kind of ludicrous, but I wonder what would happen if the justice system ever attempted to hear such a case.In any event, this was a well written and provocative story with Javier Bardem giving an excellent portrayal of the bed ridden Ramon Sampedro. His personal and family relationships are handled with compassion and integrity, and I found it inspiring that even in his condition, Ramon managed to make two women fall in love with him. That the film was based on a true story makes it even more compelling, even life affirming in a strangely ironic way.

SnoopyStyle Ramón Sampedro (Javier Bardem) became a quadriplegic and ends up battling for the right to die in Spain for 30 years. Julia (Belén Rueda) is a lawyer who helps him in this fight and they fall in love. He befriends Rosa (Lola Dueñas) with her kids. She wants him to live.It's a biopic from director Alejandro Amenábar. I love the scenes where Ramón argue with Padre Francisco. Those scenes are electric. It's a movie that needs the conflicts. Javier Bardem is stationary most of the time and it's harder to generate physical energy. He does do some imaginary sequences where he gets up and even flies. They don't really excite me as much. This movie reminds me very much of "Whose Life Is It Anyway?" I wish there are more anger and more conflicts in the movie.

billcr12 Javier Barden stars as Ramon Sampedro, a quadriplegic who fought for the right to die for twenty nine years. His lawyer, Julia, suffers from an incurable medical condition supports his choice and fights the legal system with him.Another woman, Rosa, loves him and tries to change Ramon's mind regarding suicide. Bardem is as good as any actor I have ever seen and this performance ranks with his Oscar winning role in No Country for Old Men. Ramon's brother Jose and his family make his survival possible, so he feels like he is a burden on them. The court case drags on and on, until he has reached fifty four years of age and a decision is finally reached. There are no easy answers to this moral dilemma, and The Sea Inside doesn't preach to the audience from one side or the other. Love, life, and death are tackled in a deep and insightful way with the great Javier Bardem leading the way.

Jackie Scott-Mandeville I can't praise this film enough - the style, compassionate treatment of a serious subject (euthanasia), and the brilliant portrayals by a team of magnificent actors headed by Javier Bardem in what must be one of his best roles. Despite the sadness, poignancy, and vulnerability of the characters, everyone comes across as strong beings and the whole film verifies rather than belittles life and proves love stronger than life itself. A wonderful film experience which I recommend without hesitation to anyone looking for something more in their film viewing than Hollywood treatments of real subjects. The Spanish directors Amenabar and Almodovar prove over and over again the superb quality of film-making in Spain and the excellence of their actors.