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The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

2007 · Movie · PG-13 · 112 min · ★ 7.6 · 93% critics

DramaHistory

After a sudden stroke, a successful magazine editor is left almost completely paralyzed, fully aware but unable to speak or move. With only a single eye blink to communicate, he works with caregivers to spell out words and slowly dictate a memoir, relying on memory and imagination to endure.

Based on The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

IMDb

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2 hours to watch.

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Details
Original title
Le Scaphandre et le Papillon
Years
2007
Release date
2007-05-23
Language
French
Rated
PG-13
Runtime
112 min
Critic score
93/100
TMDB rating
7.6/10 (1,284 votes)
About

You’ll likely enjoy this if you want an intimate, emotional true story about endurance and communication under extreme limits; Not for you if you need fast pacing, light escapism, or easy comfort—try Olive Kitteridge for another reflective drama.

Pros: immersive perspective; moving true story; uplifting resilience | Cons: slow pace; repetitive moments; emotionally heavy

Themes

  • dying and death
  • based on novel or book
  • writing
  • female lover
  • editor-in-chief
  • psychological stress
  • based on true story
  • patient
  • disabled
  • medical drama
  • psychological drama

Awards & recognition

  • Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 2008 · nominated
  • Academy Award — Best Cinematography · 2008 · nominated
  • Academy Award — Best Director · 2008 · nominated
  • Academy Award — Best Film Editing · 2008 · nominated

Cast & crew

Directed by Julian Schnabel