The Diving Bell and The Butterfly: Reaction

Last week, we watched about half an hour of the The Diving Bell and The Butterfly (2007), a French film from director Julian Schnabel. Based on the true story of  Jean-Dominique Bauby, it follows his recovery following a massive stroke which leaves him with a condition known as "locked-in syndrome." Paralyzed from the neck down and unable to speak, Bauby can only communicate through blinks. And to make matters worse, his right eye is sowed up to prevent infection when it does not irrigate properly.

Featuring such an immobile character, director Julian Schnabel makes our view that of Bauby's, experiencing his stroke awakening through the same traumatized eyes. Almost the entirety of what we watched was done point-of-view style, with visual flourishes to show Bauby's disorientation. For such an on-the-go person as Bauby, editor of Elle magazine, to now be paralyzed and unable to speak, we are put in a worst nightmare situation. As such, it does not take Bauby long to wish for death. Using a tediously slow system of communication requiring blinking when a speech therapist moves over a letter with her pen in order to spell out words, Bauby's first complete sentence is, "I want death." We are following a man in torment.

As we watch through Bauby's eye, we also get a look into his mind. Flashes of images, that become clearer as the film goes on. We see flashbacks of young children, his own we presume. But more startlingly, we get repeat shots of what looks like Bauby in an old-fashioned deep-sea diving suit, complete with brass helmet. Deep beneath the water and locked into the suit, far removed from human contact, the image serves as a representation for Bauby's current condition. That makes up half the title. The other half concerns the beauty that still exists within Bauby. Even though it is lost on himself, as he looks in disgust at his own reflections, those around him show a genuine affection for the man who has come to be humbled by regret.

When a friend comes to visit Bauby, we learn that the friend was once held prisoner in Beirut for four years. Bauby feels regret for not reaching out to him when he was returned home. Such regret plagues Bauby as those around him show a kindness he initially perceives as fake. But when his speech therapist is drawn to tears when Bauby wishes for death, our protagonist learns that love still holds a place for him. To give, and receive it. I made the assumption that Bauby was probably a bit of a jerk in his high-profile life, and assumed that no one would shed a tear for him. He was wrong.

From what I saw, I know I will definitely be watching the rest of this movie very soon. It looks like a very heartfelt picture; one that tugs at your emotions. Lead actor Mathieu Amalric provides emotion in a role that one would think would be emotionless. However, the film gives us Amalric's colorful narration, which breathes appropriate life into a character that appears closer to death. From just this sample, I can see why this film was so critically lauded.