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Le Scaphandre et le papillon (in English, the title translates to The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) is a masterful, ethereal, beautiful cinematic composition based on the unbearably poignant memoirs of French magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby. This phenomenal novel is impossible to read without frequently evoking knowledge of the monumental exertions Bauby must have undertaken to write it. Painstakingly dictated, one single letter and one sole blink at a time, it's the work of an incredibly ardent and witty mind irretrievably locked in a vegetative condition. Bauby's memoirs served as a ready-made canvas for the artistic indulgences of director Julian Schnabel (who had previously helmed Before Night Falls in 2000 and Basquiat in 1996). Schnabel's cinematic tour de force succeeds equally as a chronicle of one man's triumph over adversity and a document of groundbreaking visual elegance - all of which are emotionally-burdening and inspirational. The film acts as a testament to the indomitable power of the human spirit...not to mention cinema itself.
Schnabel's film expertly conveys Jean-Dominique Bauby's life in the present, the past and through the dreams that facilitate the escape of his torturous existence. The cinematography is ably executed by Steven Spielberg regular Janusz Kaminski who earned as Oscar nomination. Kaminski proficiently creates a magnificent juxtaposition of a vindictive and distorted world with the exquisite imagery of Bauby's imagination. As Bauby's tortured soul witnesses the beach or his family by his side, these exterior events flow seamlessly into beautiful visual evocations of his interior fantasies. This technique frequently imbues the screen: it imparts a mesmerising, seductive effect upon the viewer.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly conveys an inspirational, powerful narrative. For those unfamiliar with the central protagonist, Jean-Dominique Bauby (played here by Mathieu Amalric) was known to his closest friends as Jean-Do and was a man who lived his glamorous life to the fullest. Jean-Do was the editor of the respected French fashion magazine Elle. He was the loving father of two children (three in the film) and led a hectic, albeit somewhat contended, life in Paris. His life is brought to a halt in December 1995 when Jean-Do suffered a massive stroke. This stroke rendered his body completely paralysed...everything except his left eye. The doctors diagnosed him with "locked-in syndrome". With the realisation of his fate that could plague his body forever, Jean-Do finds it difficult to remain optimistic. He even desires for his death to be fast-tracked. His depression slowly eases, though, when attractive female therapist Henriette (Croze) introduces him to a medium of communication. To construct a sentence Henriette recites the letters of the alphabet and Jean-Do blinks when he hears the right letter. This method proved laborious and required patience, but it was the only way to communicate with his family and friends.
Jean-Do had a contract with a publishing company and had planned to pen his own modernised version of The Count of Monte Cristo. As this was beyond him he instead employs his blinking technique to dictate an entire novel that encompassed all his dreams, memories and emotions.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is Julian Schnabel's masterwork. Jean-Dominique Bauby's memoirs were adapted for the big screen by Ronald Harwood (who also wrote The Pianist). Harwood initially deemed the novel as impossible to film and nearly gave up trying. Thankfully the screenwriter then determined the right perspective to work from - within the head of Bauby.
Director Schnabel embraced the concept perfectly and has delivered a stunning film. The film's distinctive tone is established from the get-go. Janusz Kaminski's cinematography immediately thrusts us into the world of Bauby. He shows the proceedings from the perspective of Bauby's left eye so that we see what he sees: blurs, shapes, people, doctors, curtains distorted in sunlight. His initial sensitivity to light and inability to focus accurately is also a frequent conveyance. The first half an hour (approximately) is shown entirely from Bauby's viewpoint as his other eye is sewn up, he learns of his condition bit by bit, people come and go, and he struggles to come to terms with his paralysis. We even hear his interior monologue as he presents a snide commentary on the current happenings. This even shows us that Bauby at least retained his sense of humour despite his condition. This may try an audience's attention span, but there's enough drama to keep us engaged.
This effect, however, is destroyed when the film moves out of Bauby's head. It fundamentally offers a "Get Out of Jail Free" card. Originally we feel the profound pain of a man longing to escape from a prison...then we suddenly feel less for his situation. It's also worth noting that the film sparked controversy from Bauby's closest family. His portrayal in the film is that of a self-indulgent man whose personal life is a mess. Despite the mother of Jean-Do's children faithfully remaining by his bedside throughout his trauma, he still appears to care more for a wife that refuses to visit him. Also there's the fact that Bauby suffered for every word of his art, whereas Schnabel possesses never-ending visual resources. This inevitably makes the film a less intimate, more exterior experience.
Still, the content is moving and touching. By the end you'll almost be crying. When cinematographer Kaminski traps his audience in Bauby's mind it's difficult to keep drawing breathe...we still feel for his situation for the most part and are riveted by his interior monologue as well as those moments of sincere emotionality displayed on the faces of those around him. Paul Cantelon's piano music amplifies the film's delicate, conflicting emotions. When this beautiful music is blended with the gorgeous visual images the result is hard to match, let alone top.
Jean-Dominique Bauby tagged his memoirs with the title of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Essentially this is a metaphor for his existence. Bauby considers himself so secluded and contained, as if he were exploring the deep ocean while wearing an apparatus that allows him to breathe, and little else.
Actor Johnny Depp was first in line for the title role, but dropped out due to scheduling difficulties (with Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End). There is little doubt that Depp would have been ideal, and to a significant extent I wish Depp did end up taking the role.
Munich star Mathieu Amalric took the role instead. He's simply wonderful! The actor is presented with the challenge of duality: at times we see him as a typical rich man living life to the fullest, but for the majority of the film he's paralysed. Needless to say, his appearance is credible...almost to the point that you'll believe he's actually paralysed in real life.
The females surrounding Amalric in the supporting cast are just wonderful. The girls are deliberately highly attractive to suit the situation.
Max von Sydow is given a small role as Bauby's father. In one particular scene he's reduced to tears over the phone. These few minutes are among the finest in his career.
Overall, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is superb filmmaking in almost every aspect and a true celebration of the human spirit. It's definitely among the best foreign films to be released in recent years. Even though not much seems to happen during the 110-minute running time and perhaps there are a few questionable creative decisions, this is an essential experience that must not be overlooked.
8.7/10
