Reviewed by Cassam Looch
Stars Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Marie-Josée Croze, Anne Consigny,
Niels Arestrup, Olatz López Garmendia, Patrick Chesnais, Max Von Sydow | Written by Ronald Harwood
UK certification 12 | UK RRP £19.99 | DVD Region 2 | Runtime 111 minutes | Directed by Julian Schnabel
This triumphant, thoughtful film is based on the moving true story of magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who found himself paralysed following a stroke at the age of 45. What unfolds is a superb visualisation of the biographical account Bauby completed with the aid of his friends and medical professionals. The book they said was unfilmable has, despite all obstacles, been turned into a stunning cinematic experience that will linger for a long time in the memory.
Jean-Dominique Bauby finds himself lying in a strange room surrounded by strangers, unable to speak or communicate in any way. We are voyeurs to his musings as he slowly realises what has happened to him. Following a devastating stroke the fast-living womaniser relives important moments from his life to try and cope with his paralytic state. As a caring nurse and therapist realise Jean-Dominique can "talk" through a time-consuming method, Bauby’s estranged family begin to visit him with differing effects. Eventually he sets about recounting his experiences in a book, which physically drains him to the point of endangering his life.
Originally set to start Johnny Depp, The Diving Bell and The Butterfly is all about the amazing direction and superbly well thought-out script. Considering that you see the majority of the film from the perspective of Mathieu Amalric, the actor does wonders with his voice acting to convey the emotion of Bauby, including a surprising amount of humour. The women in his life manage to show us not just the man he was but the man he has become, never allowing him to wallow in self-pity for too long. The film's most powerful scenes involve Bauby’s fractured yet authentic relationship with his father (Sydow), you will struggle to find anything as moving on the big screen this year. Far from the depressing experience it could have been The Diving Bell and The Butterfly is an uplifting and invigorating film, and a must-see.
EXTRAS *** A commentary track with director Julian Schnabel; Submerged: The Making Of The Diving Bell and The Butterfly featurette; Cinematic Vision featurette; Charlie Rose interviews Julian Schnabel; a photo gallery and the theatrical trailer.