Jean-Dominique Bauby thought he had everything he wanted in life when a sudden stroke leaves him completely paralysed except for his left eye. But with the aid of his nurses, he manages to dictate his memoir, one blink at a time. Potentially sad and melancholic movie puts you inside the author’s mind from the word go, and keeps you there right through the closing credits. Mathieu Amalric gives a powerful tour de force performance as the struggling author, as we go back and forth with him through his memories, fantasies and moments of reflection. Max Von Sydow is equally good as his father. Quite depressing at times, but for patient viewers, it’s a very rewarding film. And it’s based on a true story! French title: “Le Scaphandre Et Le Papillon”.

Fun fact: “Johnny Depp was originally cast to play Jean-Dominique Bauby. He dropped out because it conflicted with filming of “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.”

  Rating: 3.5/4