Schmetterling und Taucherglocke

Formal gesehen hätte ich was am Film auszusetzen, weil die packende Ich-Form vom Anfang mehr oder minder von konservativen und ein wenig routinemäßig wirkenden Sequenzen von Erinnerungen abgewechselt wird, die ja doch etwas von den Emotionen wegnehmen ... Und zwar an Emotionen, welche diesem Film die Rolle einer antiken Tragödie verleihen, wobei der Betrachter sich durch das Leiden anderer von seinem eigenen Leid reinigt und dem Sinn von Existenz und Ordnung der Welt nahe kommt. Nun ja, dank den Augen von Jean Dominic Bauby habe ich mein Leben sowie meine Welt aus einem anderen Blickwinkel betrachtet und für einen Moment hatte man hier eben die Augen eines anderen. Dies zeugt von der Stärke des Originals sowie der Kraft von Schnabels Verarbeitung. Ich gebe solchen Filmen die Höchstbewertung, weil ich nicht als überkritischer Meckerbolzen herüberkommen möchte und die emotionsgeladenen Tränen auch nicht vergessen möchte, welche vollends ohne Zwang und von alleine über mein Gesicht flossen. (15.02.2008)

It doesn't make sense to pretend that the high rating of the film is closely related to its strong theme and subject matter, which directly calls for empathy toward the main character with disabilities and for turning that empathy into a maximally positive rating. On the other hand, I don't understand the critical voices claiming that the film is boring, stereotypical, and far from exhausting its potential. It is necessary to realize that the film deals with nothing less than the human soul imprisoned in a paralyzed body, and the only possibility for the communication of the main character is through his eyelids. At that point, one has a very limited range of expression options. I believe that the screenwriter and director dealt with it excellently. Of course, The Intouchables is much more entertaining, The Sea Inside is dramatically more intense, and Inside I'm Dancing is more optimistic, but Schnabel's film is strong, thoughtful, and deeply human, and it never slips into the realm of cheap sentimentality - even though there are many possibilities for that. It is a dignified representative of a group of films about disabled people and their struggle with illness, themselves, and their surroundings. Overall impression: 80%. (18.09.2012)

Love between two people is magical and uplifting, but there’s no stronger bond in the world than the love for life itself. If someone is determined to play their part to the very end, to overcome difficulties and to rejoice in trifles, they will be in every circumstance the unwavering master of their own existence, and this film – depressing yet uplifting, static yet full of life – is a shining testament to that. It didn't blow my mind, and I have no need to ever see it again, but I value my life (and especially my health) a little more again. :D 85% (04.11.2013)

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a small miracle, because it is extremely easy to fall into the classic, tearful pathos of other, similar movies with this sort of topic. But here this doesn’t happen - the filmmakers make no attempt at blackmail, while still managing to move the viewer. But in a natural way, without overacting and mainly without tear-jerking moments. And when it looks like one such moment is coming, it is flipped over by some cynical comment (i.e. the scene with connecting up the phone - without Bauby’s reaction that would have simply constituted, well, blackmail). I simply have to repeat myself: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a small miracle. Schnabel’s sensitive directing and the really pleasant cast make this an exceptionally personal experience. Which is totally reliant on the magic of Kaminski’s camerawork. The way he films the story as if from the point of view of the main character is ingenious, splendid and serves its purpose to the T. But not everything that shines is golden and Janusz Kaminski gives us visual exhibitionism even in the “non-eye" shots, which is often rather a shame (the journey in the new car, for instance). Even so, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a movie that filmmakers filming movies based on real human misfortune could learn from. (17.02.2008)

Sometimes it's unbelievable how far a human body can deteriorate. And that is precisely what the film "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" shows, narrating the life story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, who was healthy, enjoying life, and then suddenly everything changed. Mathieu Amalric is absolutely fantastic in the lead role, but the film is not a pathetic tale, it is a very good movie. (11.04.2016)