More info on the film
- http://www.thedivingbellandthebutterfly-themovie.com/
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diving_Bell_and_the_Butterfly
- http://www.salon.com/2008/02/23/diving_bell_2/
What questions do you have? What was your favorite scene? What "lessons" do you take away from the film? What surprised you? What made you sad? Make an original post, then come back and comment on 2 of your classmates' posts.
I found this film to be very interesting and thought-provoking, not just in the way the story was presented but in its messages as well. As a film lover, I thought this story was presented in an extremely unique way, constantly showing the perspective of Jean, the immobilized protagonist.
ReplyDeleteOne scene I found very interesting was the one in which he got his eye sown shut. I understand that this scene is "gross" and makes people's skin crawl, but that's the reason why I liked it. This scene was so real to me because it showed just how trapped he really was. He wanted no part of this and yet, he had absolutely no say in the matter. This scene got me thinking about being in that same situation and just how awful it must have been.
I feel that the film did a good job of portraying the despair of the character as he struggles to accept his fate and attempts to move on. This story isn't a fairytale, Jean doesn't just get better nor does he just wake up happy and everything is good. No, he struggles, he gives up, he hates what has become of himself. But somehow, he still pushes on. To me, that is the inspiring part of this story; Jean's life is a sort of living hell and yet, he pushes on.
Finally, the saddest part of the movie has to be the scene where his father cannot get out of his apartment/house and breaks down. This scene is sad enough to make a serial killer cry...
The scene where his eye was sewn shut was pretty gross! But was super symbolic because he could literally see one of the only ways out of his body being closed against his will, which made him feel even more like a prisoner inside his own body! So sad!
DeleteMy favorite scene was when the speech therapist told Mr. Bauby that "you are alive, you should not wish to die" in response to him telling her that he wanted death. It really emphasized the struggle that the main character experienced and gave the reader a perspective of what he meant by being in a diving bell. He felt that he was a prisoner to his own paralyzed body that would no longer allow him to do what he used to. Throughout the movie, I enjoyed watching as he transitioned from this view into the butterfly mentality. He was not trapped in a prison, but rather was in a waiting period for something greater. I feel, as others do I'm sure, that this film really shows how everything happens for a reason and that there can be value in suffering, no matter how bleak things seem. I was surprised by the ending of the movie. I foresaw that he would die in the end, but with the publication of his book only something like 9 days before his death, the movie just ended all of a sudden. We see the nurse holding the book to him and then text on screen telling of his death and that's the end. It took me off guard. I thought there would be a little more emphasis on the "butterfly coming out of the cocoon" by maybe focusing on Mr. Bauby's happiness or feeling of accomplishment. But then again, maybe I am just being too sappy for what the filmmaker was trying to do.
ReplyDeleteWhen the speech therapist got the word "death" from Jean-Do, it made me understand the struggle he had as well. It's pretty depressing, but I must say I wouldn't blame him.
DeleteI loved watching Mr. Bauby's transition throughout the movie. I think it showed us how you can always improve your life if you just try hard enough and have a positive mentality, such as the butterfly mentality he had.
DeleteThis movie made me think optimistically about what could happen if you focus on happiness and progress, but I'm not going to lie the ending was a bit disappointing. At some scenes, it made you think that he may learn to move and walk again, but BAM! He's dead... In a way it surprised me.
ReplyDeleteI was weirdly moved by this movie, and I am sure we all can relate to the "diving bell" bringing us down into a deep, depression-like state at various points. We just have to be searching for those butterflies in our lives to heighten our spirits, and appreciate everything that comes in and out of our routines. I definitely think that difficulties arrive just to test our character and abilities, but if we have patience and focus on what's beneficial, then we can be up with the "butterflies". That sounds like well earned happiness to me.
My favorite scene was when Jean-Do had a fly on his nose, and he unexpectedly moved his face to flee the fly away. I just find the fly to be meaningful, and we can all relate to events that seem too coincidental to say nothing special occurred. But that fly was meant to land on his face to show him that progress was possible. So in a way, it was more like a "butterfly"... get it.
I did tear up a little when his dad finally called him, and you could see that Jean-Do's physical state was upsetting for each of them. When his dad began to cry and showed sympathy for him, you just knew that these two would never be able to see each other again. It was clear they knew as well, but nothing was said about it.
In the beginning of the film, I did not care for Jean Do. To me, he was just an arrogant and unappreciative man who had failed to see the miracle in his survival, and who refused to even try to improve his condition… at least at first. His transformation, however, left me speechless. Jean Do was a man trapped inside his own body, with only a peep-hole to see out of, and with only an eye-lid for communication. I understood why the main character was so depressed and wanted death, but I wanted him so badly to see the miracle in his situation, and I wanted him so badly to trust the doctors when they told him that there was a great chance for improvement. Although I don’t believe he ever saw his situation as a miracle, he definitely saw his situation as an opportunity. He learned to communicate effectively, and started to write a book about his experiences while he was “locked-in” his own body. Staying optimistic and positive in his situation is much easier said than done. I was angry at Jean Do for wanted to die, but as I continued watching the film, I began to wonder how I would think and feel if I was in his situation.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite scene was when Jean Do’s father called him while in the hospital. It was such a short and sad conversation. Jean obviously couldn’t contribute much, and his father didn’t have much to say either, but the words that Jean was able to say to him, “I miss you too,” and “don’t cry,” were enough to make ME cry! Although it wasn’t much, I think the meaning behind those words was all that he needed to say, as well as all his father needed to hear. Those words expressed a love and forgiveness that couldn’t necessarily have been said. Jean clearly loved his father, and I think that that short phone call made them both seem less lonely because they had something in common: they were both prisoners; His father in his apartment, and Jean in his own body.
One lesson I took away from this film is that life is short. Cliché I know, but throughout Jean’s time as a vegetable, he kept thinking about all that he wish he could do or fix in his life. Sadly, he died before he gained the ability to do those things. From this, I took away that anything can happen at any given moment, and the time that we do have should be appreciated and used to the fullest!
This movie made me think about what I would do in his situation too. I think that was a major part in the movie because it makes you think about everything you have and how strong you could be if you were put in his situation.
DeleteIn the beginning of the movie my first thought was that this was going to be the longest 2 hours of my life. By the end of the movie I was a little upset that it was over and it just ended with his death. I think this movie was very inspiring because it showed how even though he was depressed and wanted to die, he pushed through it all and survived as long as he could. He did something with the crappy life he was dealt and he didn't let his condition stop him. There were times when I thought he was going to give up and just stop responding he always surprised me by becoming more dedicated to his book and even to his family.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite scene was when his kids visited him for Father's Day and they played on the beach. Even though he couldn't play with them or hug them or even talk to them he enjoyed seeing them and seeing how much they had grown. I think the best part was when he said he was happy just to see them living their lives. This was my favorite scene because Mr. Bauby realizes that his life could be much worse than what it is. He could be blind and deaf and not even be able to watch his kids play and sing to him. This scene just showed how far he had come from the day he told his speech therapist he wanted to die, he realizes that he can live with what he has been given and that he should make the most of what he has.
I was surprised with the ending of the movie. I expected him to die in the end but I didn't think it would be so soon after the publication of the book and especially after he had made so much progress. It also surprised me when he got pneumonia and they had to rush him to a different hospital, I feel like this just showed how quickly something good can be taken from you. Mr. Bauby was doing so good with "singing" and being able to somewhat move his head and then it all changes so quickly when he tries to sing for his friend. I think the purpose of the ending was to show that if you try hard enough you can do anything with the help of those who care for you and that you can't take any of it for granted because you never know when it could be taken from you.
I think this movie shows you how fragile life is and how you should never take anything for granted. You never know what tomorrow holds and that everything you know and love could be taken from you without a moments notice. We need to learn how to appreciate what we have in life and not always be wanting for more because we should be happy we have anything at all.