More info on the film
- http://www.thedivingbellandthebutterfly-themovie.com/
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diving_Bell_and_the_Butterfly
- http://www.salon.com/2008/02/23/diving_bell_2/
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Diving Bell and the Butterfly (by 4 April)
What questions do you have? What was your favorite scene? What
"lessons" do you take away from the film? What surprised you? What made
you sad? Make an original post, then come back and comment on 2 of your classmates' posts.
More info on the film
More info on the film
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My favorite scene in the movie is when Henriette, his speech therapist told him that he shouldn't say that he wants to die. So after that moment, Jean-Do cooperates and tries to speak and move and get better. The lesson I learned from this movie was that you can't let something negative take over your life. Nothing is unworkable and anything can be used to transform your life into its own greatness. I was surprised that they were taking him to the beach all that time, seeing as his immune system wasn't at full health after a stroke. I feel it's the reason he got pneumonia. I enjoyed that the movie was in French because it made me focus more on what was going on because if not then I wouldn't know what the subtitles said, or I may have missed something important to the story line.
ReplyDeleteThis part was very emotional in the movie when he said he wanted to die. Basically it was sign saying they were ready to give up. No one should ever feel so low that they feel death is the only option. It is always good to have supporting people in your corner to show that they care. Even to talk to people you may not know. A simple hello can save some ones life.
DeleteI thought that part of the movie was more or less an awakening for Jean-Do. I think he needed to be yelled at. The therapists had invested so much time and effort into helping him. They reserved the right to be angry and feel let down when he said he wanted death. Being locked-in is something I could never imagine. Silent, immobile, purely unable to communicate or function like a typically active being. How could one not become depressed and wish for death to come and release them? This yelling at allowed him to see an opportunity to write a book, inspire a movie, and inspire others.
DeleteBut that is not fair to the person actually going through the pain. I understand the therapist sacrificed their time as well, but how can you be angry when you are not the one suffering. The fact that Jean-Do even tried to keep his life going on as long as possible is a miracle in itself.
DeleteMy favorite scene was the one in which Jean-Do finds another Madonna statue exactly like the one he had purchased for his mistress, because it was funny. The scene that probably made me the most sad in particular is the scene in which he sees his children for the first time after his stroke and they're playing on the beach, because he is just so sad about it. Finally, I think the biggest lesson I took away from the film is that there is always hope as long as you're willing to look and work for it.
ReplyDeleteThe scene with his children was definitely emotional, but It kind of made me feel good that his children still found a way to interact with him by playing hangman. Really shows you how kids can adapt and find positives in situations in which many people would only see despair.
DeleteI think this is probably the part of the movie that brings out the most sadness. He realizes that this is the way his kids are going to remember him. This is hard for him to swallow because he was honestly pretty cool before his stroke.
DeleteLike Brycen said, it's very interesting (and inspirational) that kids can adapt so well and find the bright side of things. The scene really touched me because his kids are, in their own way, understanding, adapting, and playing hangman. We as people, tend to be more cynical as adults. These kids show that it doesn't always have to be as bad as it seems.
DeleteI have to agree with Keith, my favorite part was also when Jean-Do finds another Madonna Statue. I found it really funny and ironic that it was the same one he had purchased for his mistress.
ReplyDeleteI felt sad in the seen were he thinks he is heaven. It really makes you think about what life is like after you die. I liked how everything was distorted to make feel how he felt and how you were seeing everything through his eyes and why he thought he might be in heaven.
The lesson that I learned by watching this film was that no matter what God deals you in life you have to be able to overcome it and fight through it. God only gives his toughest battles to his toughest soldiers and I feel like this movie displayed that perfectly.
Jayson, I like the lesson you talk about from watching this movie. God can help us get through any situation. The book that the main character wrote while in the hospital might not have been written if he had not gone through this accident. Everything happens for a reason and he was meant to inspire people in the world.
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ReplyDeleteModerately frustrating to watch because I know that I would feel completely frustrated and angry.
ReplyDeleteI kant even really say that I had a favorite scene; however, I kan say that two pieces of the film that I felt were particularly moving and that I enjoyed were
1) when his father called- a man in his 90's in bad shape crying at the misfortune of his son and how they are both trapped
2) the random comedic times when we're looking from Jean-Do's point of view and things happen like one of the orderlies turning off his soccer game
I was surprised that they didn't use another type of communication. I watched the movie about Stephen Hawking: the Theory of Everything. They had interesting boards that they would use.
I was also surprised that Jean-Do said he missed his mistress and was waiting for her....
I was sad when his father called.
What did I learn? Try not to have a stroke and try not to get locked-in because it would be really aggravating. I am already not the most eloquent person out there but I would be beyond frustrated and overwhelmed at the thought of not being about to communicate.
Woo Saa... Woo saa. (Haha) Anyways Katrina I also was a little frustrated with watching a movie with such a depressing theme. A man with a well-working mind that has a father who cannot do much himself. It is sad to see two helpless people try to motivate one another. Still very touching.
DeleteI was thinking the same thing about Stephen Hawking and that movie. Shows the French just aren't cut out for taking care of people haha. I know what you mean with the comedic things thrown in. I loved it when the phone guys made a joke and Jean-Do also laughed at his own expense. It showed that he could still feel things like humor even in his condition which is saying something.
DeleteMy favorite scene was when Jean-Do realized that he wanted his children to visit and every time they went to the beach together. He was so happy to see them and watch them play although that was all he could do. "The mother of his children" was very supportive and always came to visit. It surprised me when Jean-Do told his mistress that he missed her and was waiting for her even though she never came to visit. The phone call with Jean-Do and his father made me sad. Also the fact that he had his stroke when he was driving his son to the movies makes me sad because the boy had to see him go through it and get help. The biggest lesson I took from this was to never give up no matter how hard the situation you face is. Jean-Do fought and was able to write a book that could go on to touch the lives of many others.
ReplyDeleteI agree that a story like this can change and touch another person's life. After watching this movie, it allowed me to see that our lives can change in an instant. I learned to not take a single day for granted and to live each day like it is our last. It would be frustrating to live in a body that does not work and not be able to communicate using your voice.
DeleteI agree that one of the hardest parts of this movie to think about was when the child had to watch his father go through with this. Not only that, but it is hard to see a family member go through anything like this. The fact that they cannot communicate with him regularly is like being confined in a prison of your mind. I also agree that he was dumb in telling his mistress that he missed her when she didn't even care about him. The mother of his children loves him so much and you can tell with the way she acts around him. I imagine it is even harder for her to see him like this than his kids who may not fully know whats going on.
DeleteI'm going to go off of Marisa's statement of people's stories touching and inspiring others. This movie certainly did touch me. It, in a way, in a way, reminded me of the French film The Intouchables, in the fact that it inspires and touches others' lives with the man's story. Basically, a very wealthy man is rendered completely paralyzed and needs an assistant. He hires a man from the sketchy parts of the city (I'm not sure if it's Paris or not) and they, against odds and seemingly clashing personalities, become best friends. true story, too.
DeleteHas nothing really to do with this movie, but I was just on a tangent about how other's stories of struggle can teach and inspire us all.
I really enjoyed the opening scene of the movie because we are seeing the perspective from the patient. I was just as confused as the patient was because it seemed as if he was responding to the doctors and nurses in the room, but we come to realize that he is paralyzed and unable to speak. The lessons that I took away from this movie is that a person's voice can be heard. Even though he was unable to physically speak, he was able to communicate by blinking his eyes. I am trying to think back to when I watched this movie last semester and the saddest part was the ending because I remember crying. But it is amazing that he wrote a book under the conditions he was in at the time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the opening seen was a bit confusing, but in a way it is helpful to see what a patient sees because not everyone understands that even though patients can hear and see you, they may not be able to respond and let you know. For him to be able to write a book is remarkable because he didn't let no being able to speak get in his was of communicating. Everyone's voice can be heard, but it's just a matter of how it is communicated.
DeleteThe beginning of this movie to be honest got my attention pretty quick when it started off with Bauby waking up from a coma. The fact that the movie starts with some suspense is good when this movie is about a topic like this one. I was also very fascinated with the disease that Bauby was said to posses, Locked-in syndrome. I have a family member that has this and it is one of the saddest things I have ever seen. Its so depressing how someone with a stable mind has no power over their body anymore. One of the lessons I can take away from this film is to always be grateful for what I have. Not everyone can get up out of the bed on there own like I can. I learned just to be happy for all of the little things in life and to take nothing for granite.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Josh that we need to be more grateful for what we have. Sometimes I forget that when I'm complaining about something that some people don't have the same advantages I do. The beginning of the movie with the suspense is something that helps people get interested in the movie because they are trying to figure out what's going on along with Jean-Do.
DeleteMy only question is how the French know about Marlon Brando, maybe Italians but not the french. Anyway, my favorite scene was when they were sewing up his eye near the beginning. I really liked the viewpoint that was given to the audience, and I could sympathize with the difficult fact that he was losing half of his remaining physical ability with that simple suture. A lesson I took from the film is don't get locked-in-syndrome because quite often people treat you as a piece of furniture rather than as a human with a perfectly functioning mind. One thing that surprised me was that his black friend stuck with him and even read to him. When he was first introduced I just felt like he wasn't going to be able to deal with his friend's new condition, and was essentially going to abandon him. One thing that made me sad was the guy telling his story about being kidnapped and held prison for (4?) years after the main character gave him his seat on a plane. It almost seemed like some sick karma was being enacted on the main character.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely agree that it was interesting to have the camera from Jean-Do's viewpoint: seeing his eye get sewn up, seeing everything he was able to see and really feel the frustration; however, I didn't particularly care for it....it kind of made me mad. Ultimately, I think that was the point: to portray the frustration and locked-in, helpless feeling. It made sense, but I didn't like it.
DeleteWhile it was a disturbing image and even difficult to think about stuff like that happening it does happen in today's world and many do not know how to deal with it. Locked in syndrome is no different from being paralyzed except for the fact that they cannot communicate but it doesn't make them less of a person and should still be reserved their autonomy since they are still living. They can even hear what is going on around them and are aware of their surroundings. Anyone caught in this situation would feel frustration helplessness alienated and maybe even anger.
DeleteI like the fact that you brought up karma. Since Jean-do was not religious and he made disrespectful comments regarding his disbelief of religion I do think that the movie implied some sort of karma happening.
DeleteI agree that not getting locked in syndrome is definitely a good lesson from the movie. I thought the same thing about his friend. I think the fact that he did stay around shows that even when something like that happens we can always rely on our friends to help us.
DeleteI do not know if I just did not pay much attention but is this based on a true story or not? Also, what was the relationship between Jean-Do and his wife before the incidental stroke? My favorite scene was when the specialist was teaching him how to swallow by initially teaching him to move his tongue from the front of the lips along the roof of the mouth. He was saying in his head "it's not fair". After watching this film I will be living my life to the fullest because I will never know when my life could be taken from me. What surprised me was when he actually had the stroke in front of his son which made me sad as well because it was a perfect afternoon ruined by an unfortunate event.
ReplyDeleteI agree on the emotions part of this film RJ. It was interesting and sad. I also thought it was amazing to see how the specialist was teaching him how to swallow, which also made me realize how lucky we truly are, that we are able to do something "little" as swallow on our own without even thinking about it.
DeleteI like this movie because of the point of view that a majority of the film is from. Although the parts were we as the audience are looking through the eyes of Jean-Do are a bit frustrating, being able to hear his thoughts as well as the dialogue around him is extremely interesting. The overall lesson of this movie is important to pay attention to because it shows how fragile like can be in that Jean-Do went from the perfect lifestyle where he seemed to have everything and now he is simply a mind trapped in a shell of a body. This shows that life is precious and every moment should be enjoyed and spent with loved ones because it can be taken away at any time.
ReplyDeleteI liked point of view of the movie as well Abby! I thought it was a good touch to have the audience be able to see through Jean-Do's eyes and hear his thoughts. It made the movie seem a bit more personal and also made me feel trapped like Jean-Do did.
DeleteWatching this film got my attention quickly. Ive never heard of Locked-in syndrome before watching this. This made me rethink the things i have in life to be grateful for. Seeing how easy Jean-Do went from life being everything, to being trapped was hard to comprehend. This showed me that things could change at any point in time, and be we need to be more grateful for what we have day by day.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the not comprehending how lightly he takes the situation. I thought of myself freaking out if that ever happened but then again he cannot really express his feelings unless he is blinking to someone. I think the movie should have shown a more difficult transition in to life like that.
DeleteThis film was super interesting. Thinking about living like this for the rest of your life and being stuck in your head is awful. This movie is full of sadness. The worst part for me was probably when he first wakes up and is talking to the nurse and doctor and they cannot hear him. He then realizes that he is stuck in his own body. I love how they go back to what his life was before. This movie really makes you thankful for your health and safety at all times. The real question is, would you rather be stuck in your head for the rest of your life and be confined to a wheelchair or just end your life. It really is a difficult concept to grasp.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that this brought a lot of emotion and thought when watching this movie. Simply because of the reality of actually being stuck in your own body and makes you aware of what you are blessed with.
DeleteMy favorite scene from the movie was when the therapist was inspirational and motivational by telling Jean to never say that he wants to die. This gave me chills because Jean began to listen to the therapist to get better and not have negative thoughts like that. I was not expecting the movie to be in French or whatever it was in. Which at first I was focused in then I would maybe get distracted and have to go back and look at that scene again if I felt as if I missed something.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite scene in the movie was when Jean-Do's speech therapist tells to never say he wants to die. I know the majority of the class picked this as well but it is a pivotal scene in the movie that pushes Jean-Do to get better. The scene itself shows through determination and hard work that anything is possible, it was pretty emotional to see the progression of Jean-Do throughout the movie.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite scene in the movie was when Jean-Do's speech therapist tells to never say he wants to die. I know the majority of the class picked this as well but it is a pivotal scene in the movie that pushes Jean-Do to get better. The scene itself shows through determination and hard work that anything is possible, it was pretty emotional to see the progression of Jean-Do throughout the movie.
ReplyDeleteI'm with the rest of the class. I liked the scene where his therapist was telling him not to say that he wants to die. I feel like when someone has reached this point, there has to be someone like the therapist to motivate them and tell them that life is still worth living. I was very surprised with the opening, as I did not expect it to be so suspenseful so early in the movie. The scene where his son watches him have a stroke in the car was very sad. The son had to go get help and he was forced to watch his dad suffer, which is never an easy thing to do. Finally, the main lesson I took from the film was to treat every day as if it is a blessing and to be grateful for your health.
ReplyDelete