Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Written by Ronald Harwood and Jean-Dominique Bauby
Directed by Julia Schnabel
Friends often complain that I drag them to "artsy films," the sort-of nonlinnear, nonwestern, nonHD imports not featured in multiplexes but rather in off-the-beaten track theatres (read: obstructed views, uncomfortable seats, limited snack options, and snooty ticket takers). It's true. I rarely throw money down the drain for movies starring Adam Sandler or CGI-enhanced mutants (Beowulf in 3D was a mistake!). I would not consider myself a movie snob (confession: I saw Armageddon 4 times in the theatre), just a cinematic connoisseur with a more complex palate.
Though JerzeyStyle may suggest otherwise, there are reasons to track down this year's Oscar nominations. One of these reasons is the Diving Bell and the Butterfly, the latest opus from Before Night Falls director Julian Schnabel. This is an art film because it is a piece of art. The premise: a true story of French Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who, in 1995 at the age of 43, suffered a stroke that paralyzed his entire body, except his left eye. Using that eye to blink out his memoir (he develops a language of blink-yes, no, letters become sentences), Bauby articulates the nature of his existence, his past, his desires. Incredibly French in its lyrical quality, emotionally-rich and raw, Diving Bell addresses the basics of human nature (when placed in perilous situations) through a unique perspective (literally). Bauby's relationship to the world around him (his health care providers, his estranged girlfriend, his television) is powerful because it is about personal survival, meanwhile applying every visual trick seamlessly. No Adam Sandler or CGI, but humor and clever camera work abound.
Sometimes the search is worth it.
Pairs with LPQ at 64th and Bway. For the faux-French quality.
No comments:
Post a Comment