The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)

The plot

A famous journalist Jean Dominique Bauby aka Jean Do, working in Elle magazine is suddenly paralyzed head to toe. Only his left eye and his hearing abilities work, physically speaking. But he can think, visualize, understand etc. etc.

He is trained by a speech therapist, a movement specialist. The speech training techniques using just the blink of the eye as response and all the frequently used French alphabets is highly innovative. It comes throughout the movie and literally becomes our habit too.

He is also helped in realizing his dream of writing a book called “The diving bell and the butterfly” by a willing volunteer who also uses the above mentioned technique.

Jean Do is also visited by his adoring wife and 3 kids and they help him relive some good moments. He also has an affair going on. All these scenes play back in his mind. His relationship with his father also haunts him constantly. The phone call with his father is one emotional roller–coaster.

After realizing his dream of finishing the book, Jean Do’s health deteriorates and the inevitable happens. 

                                                                     

Hits

• The point of view shots through the eyes of Jean Do at the start of the movie, introduce us to his world, his pain, his feelings, his sorrow and his plight. Very innovative camera work during the scenes where he blinks his eyes to convey Yes or No
• The way Jean Do narrates his inner feelings as a voice-over makes us involved in the movie rather than just watch his agony and pity him. The point when we realize that he can’t speak and that the voice over is just his feelings and not his actual speech, is quite shocking.
• The 2 therapists, the wife and the volunteer are the very attractive female elements of the movie. Extreme close-ups of their flawless body and face serve as a welcome distraction from the intense heavy content of the movie. All the 4 females embody the goodness of humanity and the spirit of service. 
• The paternal bonding shown in the movie is very touching, be it between Jean Do and his kids and or between Jean Do and his Dad

Misses

• In the entire movie, Jean Do's right eye is stitched and sealed shut. But, in one scene, his left eye is sealed shut. This is a major blooper in an otherwise perfect art-house film

VERDICT

Very serious movie that gets depressing at times due to the highly involving nature of the movie making. An attempt worth appreciating.