24. THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY. (2008)
Directed by Julian Schnabel
The highest French film on this list; THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY is an inventive, incredibly moving look at the life of French magazine editor, Jean Dominique Bauby, who, while in the prime of his life, suffered a stroke that paralysed him completely, save for his left eyelid.
Bauby, following his stroke, wrote a book, dictating through a series of movements from his one functioning body part an autobiography that became a big success, and the source material, and central plot point of Julian Schnabel’s stylish, haunting film.
It’s a film with immaculate performances from the entire cast. Mathieu Amalric plays Bauby, and gives a sensational turn – his vivaciousness as the able-bodied cad merely heightens the plight of his character post-stroke, but Amalric still manages to foster a sense of quick-witted mischief in Bauby, which is what carries the film, throughout.
Alongside Amalric, the three women in Bauby’s life are skilfully played by Emmanuelle Seigner, Anne Consigny and Marie-Josee Croze, but the best, and most affecting performance comes from Max Von Sydow as Bauby’s father, who in just two short scenes nearly broke my heart.
Schnabel is an interesting director, his previous films BASQUIAT and BEFORE NIGHT FALLS both teemed with ideas, and a distinctive visual style, but here he produces something better than could have been expected given his earlier work. In locating the heart of the story he captures the hearts of his audience, never abandoning his visual style, but allowing the characters and performances to take hold of the film and raise it to the level of masterpiece.
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