Tonight, I finally saw a movie I first heard about two years or so ago. It's called The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and it's a French film with subtitles. Sometimes I'll see a movie that's almost an ordeal to watch, but is so well-made it qualifies as a work of art. In those situations, I offer cautious recommendations and that's what I'm doing now.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is based on actual events, and concerns a French magazine editor afflicted with an extremely rare condition known as "locked-in syndrome." He's unable to speak and totally paralyzed other than an ability to blink one eye. Since I have a fear of being buried alive, the depiction of this man's condition was unsettling to watch for roughly 112 minutes. In spite of his physical limitations, which are as extreme as you can imagine, he's able to accomplish something which would seem impossible at first glance.
I'd describe this movie as thought-provoking, as in -- under identical circumstances, would I want to continue living (the term used here in its biological sense) ? Would I be able to muster the strength to make the best of a bad situation, as the main character does ? I'll be thinking about this movie for awhile, and hope I won't be dreaming about it.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly was tough to watch, but I couldn't look away from it. Highly recommended for people who are up to the task, and worth viewing to hear the alphabet repeatedly recited in French and appreciate its nearly musical rhythm.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is based on actual events, and concerns a French magazine editor afflicted with an extremely rare condition known as "locked-in syndrome." He's unable to speak and totally paralyzed other than an ability to blink one eye. Since I have a fear of being buried alive, the depiction of this man's condition was unsettling to watch for roughly 112 minutes. In spite of his physical limitations, which are as extreme as you can imagine, he's able to accomplish something which would seem impossible at first glance.
I'd describe this movie as thought-provoking, as in -- under identical circumstances, would I want to continue living (the term used here in its biological sense) ? Would I be able to muster the strength to make the best of a bad situation, as the main character does ? I'll be thinking about this movie for awhile, and hope I won't be dreaming about it.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly was tough to watch, but I couldn't look away from it. Highly recommended for people who are up to the task, and worth viewing to hear the alphabet repeatedly recited in French and appreciate its nearly musical rhythm.
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