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The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Play trailer Poster for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly PG-13 2007 1h 52m Biography Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 176 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Jean-Dominique Bauby (Mathieu Amalric), editor-in-chief of French fashion bible Elle magazine, has a devastating stroke at age 43. The damage to his brain stem results in locked-in syndrome, with which he is almost completely paralyzed and only able to communicate by blinking an eye. Bauby painstakingly dictates his memoir via the only means of expression left to him.
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The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

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Critics Consensus

Breathtaking visuals and dynamic performances make The Diving Bell and the Butterfly a powerful biopic.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Bradshaw Guardian Nothing in director Julian Schnabel's career so far has anticipated the sweetness, sadness, maturity and restraint of this lovely movie. Rated: 5/5 Oct 18, 2008 Full Review Peter Howell Toronto Star The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is one of the best movies of 2007, but I'd argue it's also the one most in tune with what this season of goodwill and tolerance is supposed to be all about. Rated: 3.5/4 Oct 18, 2008 Full Review Alan Morrison Empire Magazine A poignant reflection on what it means to be alive and, visually, a true cinematic experience. Rated: 4/5 Feb 8, 2008 Full Review Martin Tsai New York Sun Mr. Schnabel’s film is groundbreaking in its rendering of that interior life. Apr 21, 2023 Full Review Dan DiNicola The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY) The movie's overwhelming achievement is its evocation of a life and events without wallowing in any kind of pity or histrionic melodrama. Mar 22, 2021 Full Review Richard Crouse Richard Crouse Never stoops to audience manipulation, it simply presents the story in a simple, heartfelt way and allows the viewer to follow their own feelings rather than have the filmmaker try to tell them how they should be reacting. Rated: 3.5/5 Jan 31, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mike M Reason why I don’t recommend this movie is that the closed captions is in English but speaking in French. It doesn’t exactly match. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 11/23/25 Full Review David Lee K The Diving Bell and The Butterfly is a visually stunning film about the resilience of the human spirit. Based on the true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, who was editor of the French fashion magazine Elle, the movie turns what could be a tale of tragedy into one of beauty, imagination, and freedom. Despite being almost completely paralyzed after a stroke at the age of 43, Bauby’s mind keeps going through memory, fantasy, and love, showing us that the beauty of life can still be found in unexpected places. Director Julian Schnabel’s poetic style, and the hauntingly tender performance by Mathieu Amalric, makes this film not just a story of survival, but of transformation. It is a heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting little masterpiece. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/21/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 1 hour and 52 minutes!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Sexual Content, Nudity and Some Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In French (France) and English versions with English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Based on a true story!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/09/25 Full Review Paul E An incredible story told well. Definitely worth the watch. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/08/24 Full Review Irving W This movie is an amazing achievement! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/03/24 Full Review KB B This was a compelling movie but so sad. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/07/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

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Cast & Crew

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Julian Schnabel

Director

Mathieu Amalric

Jean-Dominique Bauby

Emmanuelle Seigner

Celine Desmoulin

Marie-Josée Croze

Henriette Durand

Anne Consigny

Claude

Patrick Chesnais

Dr. Lepage

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The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

A scene from the film "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." A scene from the film "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." A scene from the film "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." A scene from the film "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." On the set of the film "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007) The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Jean-Dominique Bauby (Mathieu Amalric), editor-in-chief of French fashion bible Elle magazine, has a devastating stroke at age 43. The damage to his brain stem results in locked-in syndrome, with which he is almost completely paralyzed and only able to communicate by blinking an eye. Bauby painstakingly dictates his memoir via the only means of expression left to him.
Director
Julian Schnabel
Producer
Kathleen Kennedy, Jon Kilik
Screenwriter
Ronald Harwood, Jean-Dominique Bauby
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
CRRAV, Pathé, Pictanovo, France 3 Cinéma
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual Content|Nudity|Some Language)
Genre
Biography, Drama
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 19, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 21, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$6.0M
Runtime
1h 52m
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