MovieChat Forums > Le scaphandre et le papillon (2008) Discussion > Boring, predictable and unable to put u ...

Boring, predictable and unable to put u inside the character

posted 15 years ago by bernatdg
32 replies | jump to latest

I just can't believe people saying this is the best movie of 2007, I just can't believe this is the winner of the '07 Golden Globes (i thought it was a serious festival like San Sebastian not like Venice or Cannes). That was for me a big disapointment: never deep, always predictable and just trying (without the goal being reached) to make you feel sorry for the guy. Huge disapointment. For those who like this kind of movies, Mar Adentro (The Sea Inside) is much better, makes you feel claustrophobic and passionate for the main character without being the camera the physic eyes of the main character as in this one.

[–] thomaswelvaert 15 years ago

I would consider this movie to be a more realistic depictment of the lock-in syndrome (or human emotions).

It has a lovely script based on the book written by Bauby. I never had the feeling i had to feel sorry for the guy and i found it very deep aswell as amusing in times which i found a very brave choice.
But as opinions clash, i respect yours, Mar Adentro is indeed a good film, although i find that Almodovar tries harder to make you feel sorry.

The only thing i don't get is that you say it's predictable; it's based on a real life drama, so what is so predictable?

[–] kur1su 15 years ago

Of course you mean Amenabar when you say Almodovar.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] rainbowdelacruz 14 years ago

I agree. Saw this with a bunch of people. None of us really liked it. Well, it was ok but Im surprised to find it here in top 250.

I was more touched by Mar Adentro

[–] jon-larsen 13 years ago

"unable to put you inside the character"? SO NOT TRUE!

[–] Jes' Sayin' (6089) 2 years ago

Indeed. For a while I while I felt far too much inside the character and almost turned it off.

Just because the The Sea Inside may be a better film does not ipso facto make this a bad one.

[–] dolemitesdick 13 years ago

(Surprised about the lack of replies, usually these thread attract them)
but I agree The Sea Inside was far better

[–] Afroagogo 13 years ago

I plan on looking up The Sea Inside after hearing such high praises in this thread, but I still enjoyed this movie immensely and felt connected to the Bauby and everyone in his life. It was a solid film.

Relax...it's just a message board

[–] Asmodeus_10 13 years ago

I assume the type of person that is likely to watch this movie is going to be less susceptible to trolls.

[–] petra-59 13 years ago

I think you should stay with animated Hollywood cartoons. This was obviously far too erudite for you. You can read sub-titles can't you?

[–] ecam12 13 years ago

Anyone who says this moving was NOT GOOD obviously has no idea what they're talking about. How can you not feel the character, or get inside the character? Half the movie's shot from his POV!!! So all those that loved the movie, just breathe easy knowing that all the people who hate on this movie obviously have no taste in film.

[–] notedeath23 13 years ago

Obvious troll is obvious

[–] kuzya-23-477484 13 years ago

I agree, I tried very, very hard to like it after so much praise but I just couldn't feel for the character at all. As superficial as this is, it is very hard to sympathise for an ugly, middle aged, selfish rich guy in his predicament. Because if he was healthy he would just keep ignoring his wife and kids and keep changing mistresses. He wouldn't be out saving the world or inventing a cure for cancer. SO it doesn't really seem like much of a loss.

The director tries very hard but the film ends up cold. A much better film about disability and emotional triumph is Inside I'm Dancing which got hardly any attention at all in comparison.

[–] IMDB-Fangirl 11 years ago

As superficial as this is, it is very hard to sympathise for an ugly, middle aged, selfish rich guy in his predicament. Because if he was healthy he would just keep ignoring his wife and kids and keep changing mistresses. He wouldn't be out saving the world or inventing a cure for cancer. SO it doesn't really seem like much of a loss.

That was my problem too while watching this movie. If the main character is ugly, middle aged, man-whore then it is difficult for me to sympathize with him no matter what.

[–] mbm-260-824735 9 years ago

There is more to life than imagining you can save the world or claiming a contribution to a cure for cancer.

So if you happen to be a boring, insufferable naive do-gooder wannabe that judge everyone's worth based on their supposed contributions to the collective you imagine we are all striving to improve, then you should know that movies are filled with all sorts of icky characters that aren't trying to make the world a better place. Maybe a repeating reel of morally unambiguous PSA's would be more to your liking.

[–] kickinajessiep 13 years ago

It was predictable? No *beep* It's based on a book about a real life experience. If you don't understand the concept of human will and desire to keep fighting, then you are a sad, pathetic shell of a human being.

3========D

[–] e-hoba312 13 years ago

i really agree with you that movie was just soooooooo boring but to be honest the cinematography was a little bit good no more ... top 250 !!! WTF!!

[–] vamp_frost04 13 years ago

why would you want to be put inside the character? Wouldnt it seem a little ....crowded in there?

[–] koufetina 13 years ago

the movie is not about making you feel adrenaline. the movie is based on real events, it is about the situation a person was for 2 years, his emotions and thoughts that were keeping company to him and how he managed to communicate with the outside world. the guy wrote a book in this situation, letter by letter, word by word. you people cannot say it was predictable and boring because it is not one of those movies with a twisted and unexpected ending. it is more like a documentary.

[–] the_wrinkled_mind 12 years ago

It was based on a true story.Cinema wise, yes the Sea Inside is more dramatic than this.
It might be pointless to some, but if you look at it as a true depiction of the Locked-In Syndrome then its moving.In subtle ways it also tells us about people's characters and their natures.
But this movie makes no bones about trying to be dramatic.It tells about the last few days *spoiler alert* about a person's life and his will to make the most of it.

[–] Jes' Sayin' (6089) 2 years ago

I think it's also about the reactions of the humans around him, often very beautiful.