The Diving Bell and The Butterfly

The Diving Bell and The Butterfly is a French film based on the true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby. Exactly how "based on" the film actually is depends on who you ask. Jean is the editor of "Elle" magazine until a stroke leaves him totally paralyzed save for one eye. The movie opens as Jean awakes from the three-week coma resulting from said stroke. In time, he overcomes his handicap and writes a book (the book which the movie is based on). We relive Jean's life through flashbacks as he works to recover his lost mobility and in the end... Well, you can probably guess given the true story, but I won't directly ruin it. Just know that the last twenty minutes of the film are the best part.

Is it a good movie? I'm sure someone thinks so. Personally, I didn't like it. Firstly, the movie's in French with English subtitles. If movies were meant to be read, they'd be books. I just hate when I can miss an important dialogue by looking too deeply at an interesting visual element. Secondly, there's our main character. Mr. Bauby initially earns our sympathy due to his unimaginable affliction. As the movie continues, however, we learn about his lover and the mother of his children and how he basically treated them like crap. Certainly this is shown to us so that we can understand how his circumstances cause him to change, right? Wrong. Though he does seek some sort of forgiveness from his lover, he continues to lash out at the mother even as she tries to help him. Furthermore, the man continues to womanize, relying on his imagination to facilitate his desires. With that said, the scenes between Jean and his father are both excellent.

I give The Diving Bell and The Butterfly a three out of five. If you're into French artsy films, it's a must see. If you aren't, you'll probably continue to live a fulfilling life regardless.