Scaphandre et le papillon, Le (2007)

Director:

Julian Schnabel

Writers (WGA):

Ronald Harwood (screenplay)
Jean-Dominique Bauby (novel)

Release Date:

23 May 2007 (Belgium)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

Let your imagination set you free

Plot:

The true story of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby who suffers a stroke and has to live with an almost totally paralyzed body; only his left eye isn't paralyzed.

Plot Keywords:

Wheelchair | Self Pity | Writing | Speech Therapist | Nonlinear Timeline

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 35 wins & 29 nominations

US Showtimes:

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Cast

Mathieu Amalric	...	Jean-Dominique 'Jean-Do' Bauby
Emmanuelle Seigner	...	Céline Desmoulins
Marie-Josée Croze	...	Henriette Durand
Anne Consigny	...	Claude
Patrick Chesnais	...	Dr. Lepage
Niels Arestrup	...	Roussin
Olatz López Garmendia	...	Marie Lopez
Jean-Pierre Cassel	...	Père Lucien / Lourdes Vendor
Marina Hands	...	Joséphine
Max von Sydow	...	Papinou Bauby
Isaach De Bankolé	...	Laurent
Emma de Caunes	...	Empress Eugénie
Jean-Philippe Écoffey	...	Dr. Mercier
Gérard Watkins	...	Le docteur Cocheton
Nicolas Le Riche	...	Nijinski

Also Known As:

Scaphandre et le papillon, Le (France)
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (International: English title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for nudity, sexual content and some language.

Runtime:

USA:112 min | France:112 min

Country:

France | USA

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:PG | Sweden:7 | Ireland:12A | Singapore:NC-16 | Finland:K-7 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #43714) | Taiwan:PG-12 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | South Korea:12 | Netherlands:6 | Hong Kong:IIB

Filming Locations:

Berck, Pas-de-Calais, France

Company:

Pathé Renn Productions

Trivia:

Two of the actors, Mathieu Amalric and Marie-Josée Croze, have played in Steven Spielberg's Munich, as Louis, the French contact, and as the Dutch assassin.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In the scene where Jean-Do is taken on a boat ride, A 'Speedferries' vessel can be glimpsed in the background. This company did not commence business until 2004 -- years after the time in which the story is set.

Quotes:

Dr. Lepage: We want you to take it easy for a few days.
Jean-Dominique Bauby: What do you think I'm doing now?

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2007-12-01)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Ramshackle Day Parade

Cinematic Art achieved

One of the best films in years, and in artistic cinematic terms, one of the best films I've ever seen. That's a heavy statement to make, but off the top of my head, I cannot think of another film that explores the inner workings of a character so intimately and believably, while blending cinematography, sound effects, and musical score in such harmony -- but in a fashion we (as American's at least) are not trained to enjoy. I felt the French influence strongly cinematically and, of course in the dialogue, but the writing and acting was so fluid it felt like the subtitles weren't even there.

The film deals with a rare physical condition, and I was physically there with the character from start to finish. I felt each moment as if it were my own. That is a rare accomplishment in cinema. Julian Schnabel directed a stellar cast. Mathieu Amalric was unusually charming as Jean-Dominique Bauby, and Max Von Sydow was heartbreaking as his lonely widower father. The female leads were all equally impressive as they were beautiful. I don not mean to generalize them, but they were all so excellent that they blend seamlessly in my mind, in terms of performance.

Overall, this film was as pure a cinematic experience as I've witnessed in a long time. A true artist turns out a film that is truly a piece of art. Julian Schnabel takes his time in between films, but with work like this, there's no need to rush. Like a good painting, one can enjoy it for a lifetime.