The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

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The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

PG-13

2007

1h 52m

Biography

Drama

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Popcornmeter

94%

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176 Reviews

92%

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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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Critics Consensus

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

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Oct 18, 2008

5/5

Nothing in director Julian Schnabel's career so far has anticipated the sweetness, sadness, maturity and restraint of this lovely movie.

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Peter Howell

Toronto Star

Oct 18, 2008

3.5/4

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.

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Alan Morrison

Empire Magazine

Feb 8, 2008

4/5

A poignant reflection on what it means to be alive and, visually, a true cinematic experience.

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Martin Tsai

New York Sun

Apr 21, 2023

Mr. Schnabel’s film is groundbreaking in its rendering of that interior life.

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Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

Mar 22, 2021

The movie's overwhelming achievement is its evocation of a life and events without wallowing in any kind of pity or histrionic melodrama.

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Jan 31, 2021

3.5/5

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.

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Joy B.

@9mr_0 Jan 6, 2026

جميل جدا . هو مو قصة بكد ما هي رحلة انسانية نعيشها مع البطل ابدع المخرج في تصوير هذه الرحلة وجعلني كمشاهد اتعايش مع هذا القصة مو فقط اشاهدها . اداء تمثيلي قوي للبطل وتطور شخصيتة كان متزن و مدررس . الشخصيات الثانوية ابدعت بادوارها و اضافوا عمق درامي للفلم . المخرج استخدم الكامرة بشكل عبقري جعلها كممثل في الفلم ابدع بتصوير متزن و هادىء . الموسقى كانت رائعة و تتناسب مع المشهد . الفلم ايقاعة بطيىء بشكل جميل وبعيد عن اي ملل.

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Mike M

@Mikespike Nov 23, 2025

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.

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David Lee K

@RT17066284 Jun 21, 2025

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.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 9, 2025

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Paul E

@PassoutTomatoes Dec 8, 2024

An incredible story told well. Definitely worth the watch.

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KB B

@Okbullard Jan 7, 2024

This was a compelling movie but so sad.

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Julian Schnabel

Director

Mathieu Amalric

Jean-Dominique Bauby

Emmanuelle Seigner

Celine Desmoulin

Marie-Josée Croze

Henriette Durand

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Patrick Chesnais

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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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