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Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Max Von Sydow. Drama. Written by RONALD HARWOOD. Directed by JULIAN SCHNABEL

FILM SYNOPSIS: Based on a true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby (Mathieu Amalric), a successful and charismatic editor-in-chief of French Elle, whose sudden stroke leaves him in a life-altered state. Unable to move, he is trapped in his mind, where he begins to find solace reexamining his rich memories. After getting over self-pity, he uses his newfound imagination to escape his physical boundaries and, with the assistance of a patient aide, even to write a book.

PREVIEW REVIEW: It’s a masterpiece! But as with all masterpieces, it will not be appreciated by all audiences. It’s deliberately paced (translation – it’s often slow), it’s subtitled, and the subject has to do with a man paralyzed from head down due to a stroke – not exactly Friday night escapist fare. Another drawback for us Christians is the fact that the lead is anti-religion and the content is peppered with objectionable language and casual sex (though nothing is included in order to be titillating, but merely to reveal his outlook and lifestyle).

The lead character is not just a man with little use for religion; he’s downright hostile to the concepts of Christianity and the Hereafter. He’s uncomfortable with being in the presence of spiritual images and reflections, as if a hidden awareness of his guilts are being smothered by ego and self-centeredness. This becomes disturbing, for his rejection of spiritual matters leaves him with little more than his limited time left in a world where he is scrubbed and tended to by others.

Despite these PG-13 deterrents, the film remains, as I said, a masterpiece. Julian Schnabel (Rockets Redglare, The Million Dollar Hotel) directs like a baroque painter – using thoughts that reflect underlining tension and images that demand attention with their violent movement and strong emotion. It’s almost a classical movie. But what makes the film so powerful, so worthwhile, is the lesson that lingers once we leave the theater. We are reminded that our health and place in this life can change instantly. We are reminded to live every moment, enjoy every day as a gift, and to realize that our limitations and struggles often pale in comparison to the true afflictions of others. By film’s end, this viewer thanked God for His blessings and prayed for a merciful end when that time comes.

Distributor: Miramax