| Overall Grade: |
A |
|
| Story: |
A |
|
|
| Acting: |
A+ |
|
|
| Direction: |
A+ |
|
|
| Visuals: |
A |
|
|
Masterpiece
by Alfredo B (movies profile)
Jan 29, 2008
2
of
3 people found this review helpful
Julian Schnabel creates a masterpiece that in the hands of a lesser director would be a extremely depressing film. The film is based on the remarkable true story of Jean Dominique "Jean-Do" Bauby. He was the editor of French Elle magazine and notorious womanizer. One day on an outing with his son he is struck by a massive stroke which leads him to be completely paralyzed with "locked-in syndrome". Jean-Do is completely paralyzed with the exception of his eyelids.
The first third of the film is scene entirely through his eyes. It is completely claustrophobic but it is also brilliant. Afterwards the film expands to how others see him and of course we flashback to days when he wasn't paralyzed. We see his more softer side in a magnificent scene with his father played by Max Von Sydow. Sydow has only two scenes in the film but there are Oscar Worthy!
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is one of the Best film experiences I've had all year. Don't be afraid of the subject matter. Despite it being grim the film is anything but. It is surprisingly uplifting. So if you can go check out this film! |
My Public Profile 
