Jean-Dominique Bauby was editor of the French magazine Elle. His was a full, glamorous, successful and happy life. At the age of 43, he suffered a stroke that left him totally paralyzed except for his left eyelid. Such a complete paralysis is referred to as “locked-in syndrome,” a perfect description for the way this man was locked inside himself with no way out. For many people, this would have been an end to all life and hope. Indeed, for a time, Bauby wanted to die. A life with no outlet for words or love could hardly be called worth living.

Yet he realized that there were two things (besides his eyelid) that were not paralyzed: his imagination and his memory. Working from these, and with the help of therapists and a woman who took down his words one letter at a time, Bauby went on to write a book that became an immediate best-seller in Europe. The book and now the film chronicle the experience of living through such a catastrophe. Ronald Harwood’s screenplay is an exceptional adaptation of a book that is so internal to the writer. The screenplay was so impressive that legendary actor Max von Sydow (who plays Jean-Do’s father) sent Harwood a thank you letter, something he has only done this one time.

The film shows us, in a variety of ways, both Jean-Do’s internal and external world. The vision of director Julian Schnabel and Janusz Kaminski’s cinematography are key to making this film work. They show us the world through Jean-Do’s eye. They also show us what it must feel like to be so isolated. We watch as Jean-Do first comes out of his coma and sees white coats all around him. We see faces and bodies move in and out of frame, just as Jean-Do cannot follow them once they are not directly in front of him. We see him learn to communicate by blinking as the alphabet is recited. (It is this method that he used to dictate his book.) We see his memories from his former life. And we sense his frustration, not only with his physical state, but with more spiritual issues as well.

In one scene, Jean-Do listens as he father talks to him over the phone, comparing Jean-Do’s predicament with the father’s, who cannot leave his apartment. It seems ludicrous to compare the two, but in fact, it is Jean-Do who makes the comparison in the book. Another scene shows an earlier trip to Lourdes with a girl friend and the fun they made of those there seeking healing. He wonders if this is not some sort of karmic payback for their attitude.

This is a film that celebrates the human spirit and the value of life—even a life that seems diminished beyond hope. Although Jean-Do does have times of despair, he also discovers that even locked into his non-functioning body, he has a life. One of his friends tells Jean-Do of his time as a hostage in Lebanon (which happened in part because Jean-Do gave him his seat on a flight), and compares Jean-Do’s situation with his own imprisonment. The friend says that he “survived by what made me human.” He goes on to tell Jean-Do, “Hold fast to the human inside you, and you will survive.”

Indeed, what Jean-Do discovered is a humanity beyond what he has known. By losing all the physical aspects of life, he found a truly human life that only manifested itself as he struggled to reconnect to the world through his creativity. His “locked in” life may have been a severe challenge, but it afforded him a new and rewarding life that he could have never found without that experience and the care and love of the people around him.

This film would make an interesting double feature with The Sea Inside. In that film Ramon Sampedro sought the right to end his life because his quadriplegic existence was intolerable for him. Although Sampedro was severely disabled, he had far more physical ability to enjoy life than Bauby. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a celebration of life in the midst of severe trial. These films together could be used to discuss what makes life worth living. Sampedro, even though surrounded by loving family, could not bear his life. Bauby discovered a meaningful life, even though it was far different than what he’d ever imagined.