Movie synopsis:
A flamboyant editor of fashion magazine is suddenly struck with stroke, and is left paralyzed and vocally impaired except for the muscle of his left eye. His medical condition was known as the Locked-in Syndrome.
Bedridden, he falls into depression naturally at the beginning, but slowly comes to life again in his imagination. In his words, "though I may be dead in body, 2 things are alive, my thoughts, and my imaginations". He looks back at his life and decisions he has made - some good, some bad. And he also visited wild fantasy worlds with no limitations. And through the help of his speech therapist and a transcriber, he dictated his memoir, "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly".
The Diving Bell was his paralyzed, unmovable and burdened physical body, while the Butterfly was his imagination freed.
My take:
Beautiful movie. And inspiring. Besides the great colors, film grade and lovely soundtrack, what leaves the deepest impression was the director's way of portraying parallel several key things about Jean-Dominique Bauby. He regretted not having spent more time with his children, but he was not sorry for his affairs. He wished he could spend more time with his aged father, but he was not guilty of anything. Little incidents, and choices that we make in life really matters when everything comes to a screeching halt in your daily routine.
Most importantly, I loved the fact that though he may not have been the best person or most sensitive guy, when he died, he was surrounded by the people he loved, and those who loved him more. I admire that. I would want that.
