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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What are you on about?

A customer from London , 11/11/2008

I don't get some of the reviews here. This is a French film so *gasp* there are subtitles. And it's a film about a man who becomes paralysed and the frustration of being trapped in a useless body, so it's not going to be the jolliest film you've ever seen. But all of this should be pretty evident to anyone who has read anything about the film at all before renting it!

So if you don't like subtitles, or you prefer films where the plot involves an ex-special forces hero with a painful past being blackmailed out of retirement for one last job, which will coincidentally lead to him facing his demons as well as the man who murdered his family all those years ago etc, etc, I'd suggest that this is not the film for you.

If, however, you can deal with a film that presents you with some pretty harrowing circumstances, but that shows the triumph of the human spirit over almost impossible odds, give it a go. It's profound, sad and heart-warming.

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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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What are you on about?

A customer from London , 11/11/2008

I don't get some of the reviews here. This is a French film so *gasp* there are subtitles. And it's a film about a man who becomes paralysed and the frustration of being trapped in a useless body, so it's not going to be the jolliest film you've ever seen. But all of this should be pretty evident to anyone who has read anything about the film at all before renting it!

So if you don't like subtitles, or you prefer films where the plot involves an ex-special forces hero with a painful past being blackmailed out of retirement for one last job, which will coincidentally lead to him facing his demons as well as the man who murdered his family all those years ago etc, etc, I'd suggest that this is not the film for you.

If, however, you can deal with a film that presents you with some pretty harrowing circumstances, but that shows the triumph of the human spirit over almost impossible odds, give it a go. It's profound, sad and heart-warming.

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Brilliant!

A customer from brighton , 20/10/2008

Just simply a brilliant film, a well shot, intelligent interpretation of an amazing life experience and ultimate death. The cast and script are all outstanding, this is a must see film, you can view it as a depressing account of a man's dying days or you can view it as a positive reflection of life, contemplation of the self and what it means to live your life with those you love and who love you.

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