The Diving Bell and the Butterfly on DVD (2007)

we walked out of the theater

Akexi from London , 26/06/2008

I am not one to leave film reviews, and honestly I guess a film has a lot to do with 'when' you see it as opposed to just the content of the film itself. So that can always be a factor in the subjectivity of a review....

All that aside I went to see this in London at a theater with my girlfriend, as we are both fans of Schnabel's work in 'Before Night Falls' and 'Basquiat'.

Having seen The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, nearly all the way through (we left about 10 minutes before it finished) I have to humble say...

THIS IS THE WORST FILM I HAVE EVER SEEN.

IF YOU WANT TO FEEL WHAT IT'S LIKE (WITH OUT IRONY OR MUCH HOPE) TO BE NEARLY BLIND, NOT CAPABLE TO SPEAK, AND MORE OR LESS EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY UNCOMFORTABLE, FOR THE DURATION OF A MOVIE THIS FILM IS FOR YOU.

Now, that's quite a statement and hey, who knows? I may see worse than this one, but honestly we asked for out money back at the theater, which is something I have never done before in my life. I just felt this film was not in anyway an inspired, contrasting or justified in it's perspective as real life portrayal of a seemingly relentless situation.

But hey, at least it does make you feel something.

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Brilliant

Scotfilm from Arbroath , 26/01/2008

One of the great films! Will be interesting to see if it picks up any Oscars. Absolutely recommended. Slightly disturbing but well worth the watch. Recommended to see at cinema

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Stunning portrayal of a true story

Benhuczek from London [Highly rated reviewer] , 14/03/2008

Get you reading glasses on for the subtitles, unless of course you speak French. Great performance and the story just keeps drawing you in.

As they say at Woolworths: 'Worth it'

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More Cabbage White than Purple Emperor..

A customer from Halifax , 12/06/2008

This film is worth watching but it is not as moving as I expected it to be.

I liked it's inventiveness with the visuals and perspective from someone who is severely disabled and 'locked in' but emotionally it left me disconnected.

I think you would have to read Jean-Dominique Baubys book to get a better insight into who he was.

This is by no means a bad film but it didn’t give me the fluttering lift that I was expecting.

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we walked out of the theater

Akexi from London , 26/06/2008

I am not one to leave film reviews, and honestly I guess a film has a lot to do with 'when' you see it as opposed to just the content of the film itself. So that can always be a factor in the subjectivity of a review....

All that aside I went to see this in London at a theater with my girlfriend, as we are both fans of Schnabel's work in 'Before Night Falls' and 'Basquiat'.

Having seen The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, nearly all the way through (we left about 10 minutes before it finished) I have to humble say...

THIS IS THE WORST FILM I HAVE EVER SEEN.

IF YOU WANT TO FEEL WHAT IT'S LIKE (WITH OUT IRONY OR MUCH HOPE) TO BE NEARLY BLIND, NOT CAPABLE TO SPEAK, AND MORE OR LESS EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY UNCOMFORTABLE, FOR THE DURATION OF A MOVIE THIS FILM IS FOR YOU.

Now, that's quite a statement and hey, who knows? I may see worse than this one, but honestly we asked for out money back at the theater, which is something I have never done before in my life. I just felt this film was not in anyway an inspired, contrasting or justified in it's perspective as real life portrayal of a seemingly relentless situation.

But hey, at least it does make you feel something.

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The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

A customer from Cheltenham , 24/10/2008

This is a great film but it is not light entertainment.It is a true story about a man who has had . serious stroke and how he deals with it.Unable to use any part of his body other than one eye,amazingly he goes on to write a book, just by blinking .It is very thought provoking-sad, depressing but ultimately uplifting.It certainly shows the power of the human spirit.Extremely well acted.

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