The film The Diving Bell and The Butterfly is a french film that came out in 2007. It is based on a true story and adapted from the book written by Jean-Dominique Bauby. This film chronicles the life of an editor-in-chief of a magazine who suffers a massive stroke and falls into a coma only to awake three weeks later paralyzed from head to toe with the exception of his left eye. The movie shows his present life and how he must adapt to his "locked-in syndrome" while also reflecting on his past. He soon realizes that his only escape from his paralyzed state is in his imagination. While in this condition he decides to write a book about his experiences, his trials, and his regrets. This is only made possible by a nurse reading a French alphabet (in order of frequency) and Jean-Do blinking when he heard the letter he wished to use.
This film is shot in several different angles and with multiple effects to make the viewer experience exactly what Jean-Do is going through. The story jumps around from present to past several times throughout the movie and can sometimes be confusing. There is also a good amount of representation throughout the film that describes the state of Jean-Do's mind.
Overall, I thought that the movie was interesting and well told, however, reading subtitles for two hours can get old real fast unless you can understand fluent French. The story itself is inspirational and really pulls at the heart strings. The different camera shots were unique and made the film unlike others that I have seen. I would recommend watching this movie only if you like French, need to appreciate your life a bit more, or can read well and concentrate on the actors at the same time.
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