18th February 2008

The Diving Bell and The Butterfly (France)

Director - Julian Schnabel

Cast - Mathieu Almeric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Max Von Sydow...

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Julian Schnabel has managed to create that most rare of things; a film that deals with tragedy and severe disability in an uplifting and life affirming way, as appose to with mawkishness dourness. This is largely due to the fact that Schnabel uses his artists eye to construct scenes which are full of colour, elegance, and original composition. John-Dominique Bauby, the protagonist with locked in syndrome, only able to communicate by the blinking of an eye, is constantly surrounded by beauty (no more apparent than with the glamorous nurses who aid him). This approach ultimately makes the film a sensual treat, ironic given the subject matter of the picture.

That being said, there are a number of scenes which are tough to view. The opening twenty minutes in particular, with Schnabel placing the viewer in the eye of Bauby, is especially uncomfortable. The conversations between Bauby and his father (Max Von Sydow) are with out a doubt, the most affecting moments of the movie.

Despite huge critical acclaim, it is too early to label Schnabel a great filmmaker. He has a tendency to revert to gimmicks (slow mo, focus changes etc..) and he uses the soundtrack to emotionally hit home the tone of his scenes a few times. A study of future works will highlight his directorial prowess more clearly.

Schnabel's approach does fit The Diving Bell and The Butterfly perfectly however and the movie is a must watch. Come the end of the year it will certainly be one of the years cinematic highlights. It is an incredible story that will make you think about the fragility of life and the power of the human spirit.