CLEMENTINE'S REVIEWS

7th October 2009
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)

Director: Julian Schnabel
Writer: Ron Harwood (screenplay) Jean-Dominique Bauby (book)
Starring: Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Marie-Josée Croze, Anne Consigny

Only when everything is taken away do we realise what remains.

Jean-Dominique Bauby (Mathieu Amalric), high flying editor of Elle in the prime of his life, wakes after a stroke to discover he has been afflicted by a rare brain condition which renders his body completely and permanently immobile except for the blinking of his eyelids.

The most isolating of all conditions - more restrictive than paraplegia, more than quadriplegia, more than losing sight or hearing - Locked-in Syndrome is a perfectly healthy and active mind trapped inside a body unable to communicate except with blinks. Bauby learns how use his one remaining eyelid to spell out his thoughts with the aid of the sweetly patient specialist Henriette (Marie-Josée Croze). Gradually Bauby is able to communicate with his carers, his family, and his publishing house who have agreed to honour their book deal. Assigning him an assistant, Bauby dictates his thoughts since the onset of his condition, which forms the autobiography from which is the basis of this film.

Bauby's most precious resources are his memories and imagination and with these he has enough to keep going. The exploration of this theme reawakens us to the gifts we possess and remind us not to take these for granted. What could have been a completely overwhelming film on a depressing subject is lifted by Bauby's inner narrative, his humour, his human spirit. I was completely engaged from the very first moments, seeing the world from Bauby's perspective as he discovers what is happening, until we switch to third person, and the new relationship with his lover, his wife, friends and his family, develops. The scenes between Bauby and his father are really brilliant, so powerful and emotional. Mathieu Amalric is utterly captivating as Bauby. It is Schnabel's skill and dedication (he learnt French to direct this) with this story which really delivers such a strong film.

The film is so very successful in telling Bauby's incredible story, in expressing his frustration, isolation, and ultimately hope.

Verdict: Essential thoughts about what it means to live. Beautiful. Moving.