DVD Review: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Writers: Ronald Harwood, Jean-Dominique Bauby
Director: Julian Schnabel
Cast: Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Marie-Josée Croze, Anne Consigny, Patrick Chesnais, Niels Arestrup, Olatz López Garmendia, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Marina Hands, Max von Sydow
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Miramax
Release Date: April 29, 2008

No matter how good the intentions of any director are or how good the film is, when it comes to telling the life story about someone with a disability, the general, non-disabled public act like stupid morons. I don’t blame the film nor do I blame the directors of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly who made a compelling, heartfelt story about the life of Jean-Dominique Bauby. I blame ignorance and lack of understanding at the world of those with disabilities.

Just go and look on any forum discussing this film. You’ll see some of the stupidity I speak of, such as a topic on why Bauby didn’t “blink” to get himself some sexual relief when he was surrounded by beautiful, young women in the hospital. Both sides, the ones arguing he has no feeling so why torture himself and the others who say he should have them take pity on him know absolutely nothing and sound absolutely ridiculous.

As someone with a disability, let’s not get into the ‘he got what he deserved’ posts or the ‘this movie was so uplifting’ posts that always appear when any movie is made about anyone who has overcome any obstacle. See the movie for the beautiful story and the beautiful cinematic quality. Don’t see it so you can feel good about yourself because you’re not like him. That’s my one beef with The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and it has nothing to do with the movie. It has to do with the people who see it. If you fit one of the aforementioned molds I’ve listed above, don’t see this movie. Get a book on disabilities and learn a thing or two about how we like to be treated and viewed (like human beings). Then, maybe you can watch this movie with an open mind and not a misinformed, idiotic viewpoint.

Release Information:
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is based on the memoirs of Jean-Dominique Bauby. Having suffered a stroke that led to a condition called locked-in syndrome, Bauby wrote the book with the help of an assistant who recorded every letter dictated by him through the blinking of his only non-paralyzed body part, his left eye. The book was published in March of 2007, ten days before Bauby died of pneumonia.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly made its debut on May 22, 2007, when it appeared at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received critical reception. From there, it played the festival circuit before a limited theatrical run in the U.S. on November 30, 2007. On April 29, 2008, Miramax released The Diving Bell and the Butterfly on DVD. It can be purchased at a local retailer who sells DVDs or online at various places such as the Best Buy website or Amazon. At Amazon, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is selling for $18.99.

The The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Plot
The story of Jean-Dominique Bauby is exceptional because it is one of the first chances the world has been given to communicate with anyone who has locked-in syndrome. This is the first time the audience gets to see a movie told from that somewhat claustrophobic standpoint that Bauby lived in until he learned to communicate externally again with the outside world. Director, Julian Schnabel and writer, Ronald Harwood encapsulate this perspective and stay true to Bauby’s memoir.

While there was discussion about The Diving Bell and the Butterfly being filmed in English (the original film was written as such) with Johnny Depp in the lead, the mostly French cast and the French screenplay added something an English version would most certainly have been lacking. Mathieu Amalric’s portrayal as Bauby was excellent. The actor was believable, sympathetic, and also strong in the power he portrayed, allowing the words of Bauby, through his memoir, to resonate throughout the film.

In the story, you’ll be taken through the chaotic first moments, when Bauby realizes he has locked-in syndrome. While he can think and remember all of the things he’s done in his life with clarity, he cannot yet communicate with the outside world. Bauby has been paralyzed by a stroke, at the age of 43 and the only thing he can move is his left eye.

While who he was isn’t nearly as important as the man he has become and his new perspective that he has on life, the film focuses instead on his journey through his newfound experiences as a man that no one can communicate with until a speech therapist develops a technique that allows him to communicate through the blinking of his left eye. As Bauby emerges from the shell he’s been trapped within, so too does the action and who Jean-Dominique Bauby was is discovered.

Bauby was a wealthy man. The editor of the French version of the magazine, Elle, the unexpected stroke throws the active 43 year old’s life into an uproar. Along with the mother of Jean-Dominique’s children and all three of his children, Bauby’s true friends, his mistress, his father and the woman who dictates his memoirs, they all become a part of the story as he is led outward into a world he thought he might not ever be a part of (in an active sense) again.

There is so much beautiful imagery and the compelling story, driven by an amazingly well written screenplay are what make The Diving Bell and the Butterfly such an excellent film. Jean-Dominique Bauby was just trying to live his life. He didn’t write to be uplifting or to be seen as a hero (brave figure). He wrote to be understood. He wrote so others in his situation could be understood. He wrote so people could see that despite his limitations he was human. That was what Schnabel was able to portray and that is what makes this movie worth watching.

The acting is amongst the best I’ve seen. I’m surprised that The Diving Bell and the Butterfly didn’t get more recognition at the Oscars. Despite four nominations, it didn’t win one. It did, however, win two Golden Globes for Best Direction and Best Foreign Language Film. This is amongst 30 or so other awards the film has received since its original release at Cannes.

Storyline/Plot:
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing:

Audio/Visual:
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly has an absolutely stunning picture. The anamorphic transfer, at a 1.85:1 ratio, is one of the best transfers I’ve seen lately. It took a lot of innovative filmmaking on Schnabel’s part to achieve the storytelling techniques he uses, getting the film from the depths within Bauby to the transition he makes into the outside world. The beautiful, rich colors are lush and vibrant. The contrast is sharp and everything looks excellent.

The use of a French Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is recommended, even though both English and Spanish 5.1 Dolby dubs are both available. I prefer the film in French, with English subtitles, as it was meant to be, but that is just my preference. There are English, French, and Spanish subtitles and there is English Closed Captioning. The soundtracks, in all their forms, are excellent, but the French is definitely the one to use.

Visual:
Audio:

Bonus Features:
There are multiple bonus features included on The Diving Bell and the Butterfly DvD. The first is called “Submerged: The Making of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly“. This discusses everything from why the director chose to shoot at the actual hospital where Bauby stayed to how the actors developed their characters. The feature is a little bit longer than ten minutes, but is a must see for fans of the movie.

There is an audio commentary for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Julain Schnabel. This has the option to display English, French or Spanish subtitles during the extent of the commentary. This is an interesting addition, though it is not an essential commentary. It does provide some insight into the film, but Schnabel doesn’t spend the entire time talking like most directors do and he has the tendency to be drab at moments.

There is a featurette called “A Cinematic Vision”, which is a little less than ten minutes in length. This explores the cinematographer’s vision for capturing the movie from Bauby’s unique perspective. At the same time, it explores how the director, Schnabel, made sure the transfer to film was smooth enough to make the story enjoyable from this first person, in-mind perspective.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly also features Schanbel’s interview with Charlie Rose. This is much more entertaining than other features with Schnabel at the helm and is actually more detailed than the audio commentary (at least in my opinion). This includes The Diving Bell and the Butterfly trailer. The final bonus is an advertisement for truth.com and the trailer for the latest Chronicles of Narnia movie, Prince Caspian.

Bonus Features:

Bottom Line:
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a film that needs to be seen. Don’t watch it to be inspired or feel good about the fact that you aren’t paralyzed. Don’t watch it to feel depressed or sorry for Jean-Dominique Bauby. Watch it because it is an excellent and compelling drama with dynamic characters and a story with a message…the message of humanity. This film comes highly recommended.

Overall Rating:

Technorati Tags: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Miramax, Academy Awards, DVD Review, French Film, true story, paralyzed, locked-in syndrome, Jean-Dominique Bauby

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
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Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.