The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Let your imagination set you free


The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
This highly-decorated biopic is based on the true life story of the French editor of Elle magazine. Married with a wife, two kids and a mistress, and at the top of his game, his life takes a turn for the worse when he has a stroke. He awakes out of a coma to discover that he is entirely paralyzed, except for his left eyelid. After some effort, he manages to set up a communication system with his speech therapist, based entirely on blinking his left eye. He painstakingly dictates his memoirs in this fashion, as we go inside his mind to relive his life.

125 minutes.
No persons under 10 (Nudity).
Biographical, Drama, On the art circuit
Turn around so I can wink at you...
Turn around so I can wink at you...

Credits

Cast
Mathiew Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Marie-Josée Croze, Anne Consigny, Patrick Chesnais, Max von Sydow
Director
Julian Schnabel
ScreenplayRonald Harwood, from the memoir by Jean-Dominique Bauby
MusicPaul Cantelon
CinematographyJanusz Kaminski
EditingJuliette Welfling
Sound formatsDolby Digital, DTS
SoundtrackAvailable
Made in2007
Produced byPathé Renn Productions, France 3 Cineéma, The Kennedy/Marshall Company, C.R.R.A.V. Nord Pas de Calais, Région Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Canal+, Ciné Cineémas, Banque Populaire Images 7

Official Site | IMDB page | ScreenIt Report
Trailer: Medium

Film and Publications Board (FPB) Report (SA)

GenreDrama
LanguageIsolated and discrete
NudityIsolated, brief and non-sexual
SexNone
ViolenceNone
PrejudiceNone
BlasphemyNone
Drug abuseNone
CommentsComplex and mature theme.
These details are supplied by the FPB. If you have a problem with any of the above, please take it up directly with the FPB. Read the Classification Guidelines.

ScreenIt Report (USA)

Sex / Nudity
5
Violence
1
Blood / Gore / Gross
1
Guns / Weapons
0
Profanity
2
Alcohol / Drugs
1
Smoking
3
Disrespectful / Bad Attitude
2
Imitative Behaviour
1
Frightening / Tense Scenes
2
Jump Scenes
1
Tense Family Scenes
3
Music (Scary/Tense)
0
Music (Inappropriate)
0
Topics to talk about
3


Ratings

Scale (Max)20

What the Critics say

Cape Argus / The Star
Helen Herimbi quote iconLife-affirming tale a testament to the human spirit.
20
Cape Times
Kenneth Turan quote iconClever script and great acting make Bell a winner.
20
iAfrica.com
Rebekah Kendal quote iconThere are few films that are truly awe-inspiring. This is one of them.
20
Sunday Times
Barry Ronge
15
24.com
Jean Barker quote iconA beautiful adaptation of a true story that leaves you desperate to live every moment to the fullest.
15
BBC
Anna Smith quote iconOne of those it-could-happen-to-you dramas, it'll get you pondering on life, death and illness but leave you with a wry, tearful smile and a determination to live life to the full.
15
Chicago Sunday Times
Roger Ebert
20
eye Weekly
Jason Anderson quote iconVivid, moving though somewhat overbearing
10
ReelViews
James Berardinelli quote iconDo not be dissuaded by the subject matter. This is a special motion picture that achieves its higher agenda of doing much more than idly plucking at a few heartstrings.
18
Rolling Stone
Peter Travers quote iconHere's a remarkable true story that comes to the screen with an exhilarating disregard for conventional rules.
18
ScreenIt
quote iconA good and ultimately uplifting offering that, when considering the subject matter, is something of an accomplishment in itself.
13
Metacritic.com
36 critics
18
Rottentomatoes critics
139 critics
16
Rottentomatoes tomatometer
Tomatometer quote iconBreathtaking visuals and dynamic performances make this a powerful biopic.
19

What the People say

Internet
6157 Netizens quote iconOne of the best films I've seen for a while
16

Average .. 84%

17




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