Thursday, February 28, 2008

I just got back from seeing The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and feel so happy, even though most of the movie was incredibly sad. Eliah and I sat transfixed in the theater. Even the sounds of ice in a cup and the crunching of popcorn did not distract as the beautifully filmed movie evolved on the screen.

Based on a true story and created from the book by the same title, this movie chronicles the trials of a once fashionable and handsome man, Jean-Dominique Bauby, who has been stricken by a stroke and completely paralyzed save for one eye. Through this eye we experience Jean-Do's environment and see his new world from his perspective. He can hear but cannot speak and over the course of time establishes communication through blinking. Many shots are like paintings, colorful and compositionally comforting. The movie concludes with Jean-Do having written a book about his experience, all with the help of a translator, who dutifully repeated letters until he blinked a "yes".

This movie was a powerful portrayal of the strength of life; how even what seems impossible can be overcome and become a thing of beauty.

A recommendation for sure.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your wonderful description of the movie makes us want to find the book and read it. We constantly need to be reminded of how lucky we are to do the things we take advantage of everyday. Good message. Thank You, your such a good writer. WuvU

Anonymous said...

Well done! A brilliant description. I'am afraid not to be much good with words, because I'm learning. But I understood your text. So, I'm glad about these lines.
Joan,