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The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
"Le scaphandre et le papillon" (original title)

 -  Biography | Drama  -  23 May 2007 (France)
8.0
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Ratings: 8.0/10 from 64,521 users   Metascore: 92/100
Reviews: 160 user | 246 critic | 36 from Metacritic.com

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.

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(screenplay), (book)
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Top 250 #233 | Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 55 wins & 41 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
Patrick Chesnais ...
Le Docteur Lepage
...
Olatz López Garmendia ...
Marie Lopez
...
...
...
Papinou
Gérard Watkins ...
Théo Sampaio ...
Théophile
Fiorella Campanella ...
Céleste
Talina Boyaci ...
Hortense
...
Laurent
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Storyline

Forty-three year old Elle magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby - Jean-Do to his friends - awakens not knowing where he is. He is in a Berck-sur-Mer hospital, where he has been for the past several weeks in a coma after suffering a massive stroke. Although his cognitive facilities are in tact, he quickly learns that he has what is called locked-in syndrome which has resulted in him being almost completely paralyzed, including not being able to speak. One of his few functioning muscles is his left eye. His physical situation and hospitalization uncomfortably bring together the many people in his life, including: Céline Desmoulins, his ex-lover and mother of his children; Inès, his current lover; and his aged father who he calls Papinou. Among his compassionate recuperative team are his physical therapist Marie, and his speech therapist Henriette. Henriette eventually teaches him to communicate using a system where he spells out words: she reads out the letters of the alphabet in ... Written by Huggo

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

eye | paralyzed | editor | stroke | blink | See more »

Taglines:

Let your imagination set you free

Genres:

Biography | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for nudity, sexual content and some language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

|

Language:

Release Date:

23 May 2007 (France)  »

Also Known As:

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£106,911 (UK) (8 February 2008)

Gross:

$5,990,075 (USA) (4 April 2008)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

|

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

To familiarize himself with Bauby's sheltered existence, director Julian Schnabel made the movie in the same hospital where Bauby was treated, meeting many of the orderlies who had treated him. He also shot scenes on the same balcony where Bauby relaxed, and on the same nearby beach his family took him to. See more »

Goofs

When Jean-Dominique goes on a boat ride, a 'Speedferries' vessel can be seen in the background. Speedferries started business in 2004, years after the movie was set. See more »

Quotes

Roussin: Hold fast to the human inside of you, and you'll survive.
See more »

Connections

Features Making Friends (1936) See more »

Soundtracks

"Ultra Violet (Light My Way)"
( Bono & The Edge / U2 )
Performed by U2
© PolyGram Int. Music Publ. B.V.
© 1991 Island Records Ltd.
With the kind authorization of Universal Music Special Products
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

 
Do yourself a favor
2 January 2008 | by (Columbia, Maryland, USA) – See all my reviews

The inadequacies of the descriptions of this movie emphasize the gulf between the written (or spoken) word and the work of art itself. I could write all the spoilers and it wouldn't make a difference, because the riveting quality here doesn't depend on plot surprises. It is the improbable story, a story that will touch you and then executed by actors who seem like their lives depend on being true to the story.

This is an anti-Hollywood, anti-formula movie. Those have their place, but this is a great antidote to the silly decisions made by inappropriately powerful studio execs.

See it. You'll be thankful you did.


113 of 145 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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Favourite foreign films! chrisadamz
Boring, predictable and unable to put u inside the character bernatdg
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