This French film (with English subtitles) is the true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, the editor of Elle Magazine who suffered a debilitating stroke and was left paralyzed, with no movement except for his left eye.  His mind still fully functioning, Jean-Do (played by Mathieu Amalric) remains trapped in this horrific prison of a body.  Unable to do anything, even to end his own miserable existence, he is forced to accept his fate and to try and find some way of (as an acquaintance tells him) “keeping his human portion alive.”

Nearly all of the film is shot from the perspective of Jean-Do’s eye.  We see faces speaking to him, bent over awkwardly.  We see him looking at his useless hands, his twisted reflection.  And eventually we see him learn to communicate through the one working body part he has left, in a good part due to the efforts of a speech therapist (Marie-Josée Croze). 

Amazingly, Jean-Do is still able to appreciate life, both in the world around him and the mind within him.  And he maintains a strong sense of humor as well, even when those around him do not.  His ability to express that humor may be limited, but that doesn’t seem to matter to him.  And eventually he decides to continue with a project he was about to begin before the stroke: writing a book.  Only now the subject will become much more personal.

Between the strong acting and the effective and creative cinematography, this adaptation of Jean-Dominique Bauby’s book is largely successful in its endeavors.  Even though told from the point of view of Jean-Do, we still feel the emotions and thoughts of those around him, and how this tragedy affects their lives as well.  Try to see this film, now or on DVD when it becomes available.  You’re likely to hear it mentioned when the Oscars roll around.