Like the bestselling book upon which it's based, The Kite Runner will haunt the viewer long after the film is over. A tale of childhood betrayal, innocence, harsh reality, and dreamy memory, The Kite Runner faces good and evil--and the path between them, though often blurry and sorrowfully relative. Director Marc Forster (Monster's Ball, Finding Neverland) presents a painterly vision of Afghanistan before the Soviet tanks, before the Taliban--lush, verdant, fertile--in its landscape and in its people and their history and hopes. The story follows two young boys' friendship, tested beyond endurance, and the haunting of their adult selves by what happened in their youth--and what horrors befall their country in the meantime. The performances of the two boys--Zekeria Ebrahimi (Amir) and Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada (Hassan)--are the film's strongest, unforced and gently evocative. The penance paid by their adult selves is foreshadowed, but never predictable--and the metaphor of innocence lost, a common theme in Forster's work, keeps the film, like the title kites, truly aloft. --A.T. Hurley

A good film on friendship (true and betrayed), 19 Nov 2008
A good poetic look on Afghan pre-wars (80') society, with a rich and poors, casts and kites. All vanished in the storm of russian invasion and taliban's terror. Two boys, two brothers, a sad story of violence and treason, with a "sugar" happy final (but the movie isn't a "easy" film). Good cast, good plot. Only some scenes "a little" unreal, like the David vs Goliath escape from Talibans.

Emotional , 23 Oct 2008
This is not my normal sort of movie, but watched this with a friend. The film starts quite slowly, building up the background of our main characters and eventually moves to a very emotional climax. With an excellent script, story and acting, this movie has you getting frustrated with the characters and going through all that they are. With an interesting view of how Afghanistan and the Taliban are, this moving really opens your eyes and makes you think.

Love those foreign films..., 11 Oct 2008
Well done, heart-warming story, excellent actors, interesting culture and location/scenery - I highly recommend it.

Disappointed, 02 Oct 2008
One of those films you think you should see because it's been raved about. I found it slightly dull and not much happens most of the time.

Read the book, 27 Sep 2008
Rarely does a film adaptation of a book manage to do justice to the original, and I have to say this is no exception. Whilst magnificently cast the film is too brief, goes at too quick a pace and glosses over key moments that the book expresses so eloquently. A prime example of this is Amir's final confrontation with long time tormentor Assef which has been reduced here to little more than a smash and grab yarn. 'Kite runner' is a very powerful tale of friendship, betrayal,remorse and redemption but you will miss out on many colourful details without reading the book. The film is agreeable and faithful in character, but not great.

The seemingly claustrophobic story of a man imprisoned in his paralysed body becomes a dazzling and expansive movie about love, imagination, and the will to live. After a stroke, Jean-Dominique Bauby (Mathieu Amalric, Kings and Queen) can only move his left eye--and through that eye he learns to communicate, one letter at a time. With the help of his speech therapist (Marie-Josee Croze, Munich) and a stenographer (Anne Consigny, Anna M.), Bauby writes the stunning memoir The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. But such a plot summary makes the movie sound like lofty, self-important medicine--far from it. Director Julian Schnabel (Basquiat, Before Night Falls), working from an elegant screenplay by Ronald Harwood (The Pianist) and with an outstanding cast (which also includes Frantic's Emmanuelle Seigner as Bauby's neglected wife), has created a movie as engrossing and hypnotic as a thriller, a movie that wrestles with mortality yet has stubborn streaks of dark humour and eroticism, that portrays a man who overcomes unimaginable obstacles but refuses to paint him as a saint. Schnabel was once dismissed as a pompous and overblown painter, but he's crafted an intimate visual poem, a humble sonata about life at its most fragile. --Bret Fetzer

A good film on friendship (true and betrayed), 19 Nov 2008
A good poetic look on Afghan pre-wars (80') society, with a rich and poors, casts and kites. All vanished in the storm of russian invasion and taliban's terror. Two boys, two brothers, a sad story of violence and treason, with a "sugar" happy final (but the movie isn't a "easy" film). Good cast, good plot. Only some scenes "a little" unreal, like the David vs Goliath escape from Talibans.

Emotional , 23 Oct 2008
This is not my normal sort of movie, but watched this with a friend. The film starts quite slowly, building up the background of our main characters and eventually moves to a very emotional climax. With an excellent script, story and acting, this movie has you getting frustrated with the characters and going through all that they are. With an interesting view of how Afghanistan and the Taliban are, this moving really opens your eyes and makes you think.

Love those foreign films..., 11 Oct 2008
Well done, heart-warming story, excellent actors, interesting culture and location/scenery - I highly recommend it.

Disappointed, 02 Oct 2008
One of those films you think you should see because it's been raved about. I found it slightly dull and not much happens most of the time.

Read the book, 27 Sep 2008
Rarely does a film adaptation of a book manage to do justice to the original, and I have to say this is no exception. Whilst magnificently cast the film is too brief, goes at too quick a pace and glosses over key moments that the book expresses so eloquently. A prime example of this is Amir's final confrontation with long time tormentor Assef which has been reduced here to little more than a smash and grab yarn. 'Kite runner' is a very powerful tale of friendship, betrayal,remorse and redemption but you will miss out on many colourful details without reading the book. The film is agreeable and faithful in character, but not great.

absolutely painful to warch, 19 Nov 2008
painful to watch because it uncompromisingly puts you in the head ( literally ) of the central character who can no longer talk and can hardly move - he can still look at women's breasts, which probably makes it even worse! When you realise that it's all true, and that he actually did get a book out by only blinking, it is heartwrenching. You just know it is going to end badly, unless you regard the book's publication as a vindication of the human spirit - I suppose it is , it's just that I didn't feel good about that.

The Best French Film Since Amelie!, 21 Oct 2008
'The Diving Bell & The Butterfly' is without doubt the best French film of the past couple of years.
The best words I can use to describe this film are; beautiful, poignant, sad & funny.
The subject matter is pretty morbid, based on the autobiograpphical book of the same title about a former Vogue editor who had a stroke & developed 'locked-in-syndrome' whereby he is unable to move his body or communicate, but his mind is fully working.
The very stricken upon lead (Jean-Do) is played by Mathieu Amalric.
His estranged partner- mother to his three children (played by Emmanuelle Seigners) is one of the other lead characters who helps Jean-Do through his nightmare-like state. The carer who puts a lot of time & effort into helping Jean-Do is Henriette (Marie-Josee Croze). These are in my mind the most apparent characters in the film.
What I really liked about the film was the first-person narrating from Jean-Do, he tells his story while appearing completely out of it. He is brought from being a well respected magazine editor to being a dependent hospital patient, able to do little or nothing for himself.
There wasn't anything about the film I didn't like, come to think of it, I personally don't think there were any major flaws or disappointments.
As the viewer watches the first fives minutes they are launched into seeing Jean-Do's decendance into his own physical prison.
The subject matter is unsettling & the thought of it is horrible that a person could go through such a thing, which appears to be one of the most debilitating & frustrating condition I have ever seen on film.
All the while Jean-Do retains his sense of humour, impacting those around him profoundly. The fact that the movie has some very funny scenes is a triumph, throughout Jean-Do's wallowing & self-pity he has a laugh at his own infliction, contemplates his life & achievements & learns to communicate by winking to yes & no answers.
Becuase of Jean-Do's high profile he decides to write an autobiography, so he enlists a writer to tell his life story.
Unfortunately, just when the viewer thinks everything is going to be okay, things get much worse.
I cried a lot at the end of this film. It gave me a new lease of life & shows that the simple pleasures in life are the most important & love transcends everything.
The performances in the film are amazing, particularly , Mathieu Amalric's, that even though he is confined to most scenes with his face in the same position, he has that undeniable behind-the-eye emotion that makes him perform well & I think crying without moving your face is quite an achievement (not just sit there doing nothing).
Emmanuelle Seigner is great as his ex-partner (Celine) who seems to be grieving the loss of her children's father before he's dead & she is supportive of him throughout the film even though one gets the impression that she is still in love with Jean-Do. Marie-Josee Croze is amazing as his carer, she has a natural beauty that fits in well with her character, Henriette is clearly a complex woman who clearly does her job for fulfillment & she like many others has a bond & a conection with Jean-Do.
'The Diving Bell & The Butterfly' is unmissable, the movie has a rare quality that enables the viewer to laugh & cry during one scene.
A must see, even though it is a sad film, you'll probably go out of it feeling good.



Clever and Original Film, 17 Aug 2008
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" is a gripping French film based on a true story about a renowned magazine editor,who after suffering a devastating stroke became paralysed,only able to communicate by blinking one of his eyes. The acting in the film is of a very high standard throughout as we watch the immobile Jean-Do face up to his life altering circumstances at first with despair but then with resignation and finally acceptance of his horrible fate. He is lucky in that he has the love of two women,his wife and mistress to keep him going , as well as his three children and several attentive speech therapists and helpers. Their support bolsters his spirits and enable him to "write" his memoirs and share his experiences of life as a victim of "locked in" syndrome with the world.The film is at times depressing and sad , but it is vital and original as well.

Not a patch on the book!, 13 Aug 2008
The book was extraordinary, both for how it was painstakingly written and the condition of JDB, but mostly because it was genuinely uplifting.

The film despite being beautifully shot and well played just can't compete, it keeps having to tell us things rather than show them and basically becomes a monologue. The imagery of the diving bell which worked to well in the book falls apart when it's shown on screen - it rendered too plodding and literal. Essentially it's un-filmable.

Disappointing, stick with the book despite being a brave effort.

Funny, moving and beautifully shot - the best film of 2007!, 04 Jul 2008
The book is so beautiful a piece of personal philosophy that I went to see the film with some trepidation, but if anything the film adds to the book by Bauby. The film is beautifully shot, funny and moving (but not in a sentimental way).

The director (who does not speak fluent French) chose to retain the original language of the book and this, I believe speaks volumes in a world of cinema where the digestability of a film by a mass audience is often classed as more important than retaining the soul of a piece of artistic cinema. The film was originally meant to be made by Pathe and star Jonny Depp - I think a tragedy was averted!

This film can be enjoyed (yes enjoyed - despite its theme it really isnt at all depressing) on so many levels - as a compelling human story, as an uplifting philosophy and as a work of art. You should not miss this film.

Backed by Guillermo del Toro and yet made by a surprisingly inexperienced group of film makers (especially considering the end result), The Orphanage is a chilling, tense supernatural thriller that could certainly teach more established directors a thing or two about how to send shivers down the spine.

It tells the story of a woman, Laura, returning to the orphanage where she was raised as a child. Her plans are to look after sick children there, but it doesn't take long for things to go awry. Without giving too much away, visions from her past and a threat to her own family are the starting points for a complex and quite haunting thriller, that stays in the mind long after the credits have rolled.

A film that works on more than one level, The Orphanage really is some piece of work. Juan Antonia Bayona, behind the camera, generates an incredibly atmospheric mood that underpins the film, and wisely takes time to put pieces in place. He's aided by a terrific cast, and an unsettling screenplay that layers in an uneasy horror that's as anti-Hollywood as it comes.

The result of all of this is one of the scariest films of recent times, and yet something that still manages to be that little bit more, that sticks in your mind for some time afterwards. Make no mistake, The Orphanage really is something different, and all the better for it. --Jon Foster

A good film on friendship (true and betrayed), 19 Nov 2008
A good poetic look on Afghan pre-wars (80') society, with a rich and poors, casts and kites. All vanished in the storm of russian invasion and taliban's terror. Two boys, two brothers, a sad story of violence and treason, with a "sugar" happy final (but the movie isn't a "easy" film). Good cast, good plot. Only some scenes "a little" unreal, like the David vs Goliath escape from Talibans.

Emotional , 23 Oct 2008
This is not my normal sort of movie, but watched this with a friend. The film starts quite slowly, building up the background of our main characters and eventually moves to a very emotional climax. With an excellent script, story and acting, this movie has you getting frustrated with the characters and going through all that they are. With an interesting view of how Afghanistan and the Taliban are, this moving really opens your eyes and makes you think.

Love those foreign films..., 11 Oct 2008
Well done, heart-warming story, excellent actors, interesting culture and location/scenery - I highly recommend it.

Disappointed, 02 Oct 2008
One of those films you think you should see because it's been raved about. I found it slightly dull and not much happens most of the time.

Read the book, 27 Sep 2008
Rarely does a film adaptation of a book manage to do justice to the original, and I have to say this is no exception. Whilst magnificently cast the film is too brief, goes at too quick a pace and glosses over key moments that the book expresses so eloquently. A prime example of this is Amir's final confrontation with long time tormentor Assef which has been reduced here to little more than a smash and grab yarn. 'Kite runner' is a very powerful tale of friendship, betrayal,remorse and redemption but you will miss out on many colourful details without reading the book. The film is agreeable and faithful in character, but not great.

absolutely painful to warch, 19 Nov 2008
painful to watch because it uncompromisingly puts you in the head ( literally ) of the central character who can no longer talk and can hardly move - he can still look at women's breasts, which probably makes it even worse! When you realise that it's all true, and that he actually did get a book out by only blinking, it is heartwrenching. You just know it is going to end badly, unless you regard the book's publication as a vindication of the human spirit - I suppose it is , it's just that I didn't feel good about that.

The Best French Film Since Amelie!, 21 Oct 2008
'The Diving Bell & The Butterfly' is without doubt the best French film of the past couple of years.
The best words I can use to describe this film are; beautiful, poignant, sad & funny.
The subject matter is pretty morbid, based on the autobiograpphical book of the same title about a former Vogue editor who had a stroke & developed 'locked-in-syndrome' whereby he is unable to move his body or communicate, but his mind is fully working.
The very stricken upon lead (Jean-Do) is played by Mathieu Amalric.
His estranged partner- mother to his three children (played by Emmanuelle Seigners) is one of the other lead characters who helps Jean-Do through his nightmare-like state. The carer who puts a lot of time & effort into helping Jean-Do is Henriette (Marie-Josee Croze). These are in my mind the most apparent characters in the film.
What I really liked about the film was the first-person narrating from Jean-Do, he tells his story while appearing completely out of it. He is brought from being a well respected magazine editor to being a dependent hospital patient, able to do little or nothing for himself.
There wasn't anything about the film I didn't like, come to think of it, I personally don't think there were any major flaws or disappointments.
As the viewer watches the first fives minutes they are launched into seeing Jean-Do's decendance into his own physical prison.
The subject matter is unsettling & the thought of it is horrible that a person could go through such a thing, which appears to be one of the most debilitating & frustrating condition I have ever seen on film.
All the while Jean-Do retains his sense of humour, impacting those around him profoundly. The fact that the movie has some very funny scenes is a triumph, throughout Jean-Do's wallowing & self-pity he has a laugh at his own infliction, contemplates his life & achievements & learns to communicate by winking to yes & no answers.
Becuase of Jean-Do's high profile he decides to write an autobiography, so he enlists a writer to tell his life story.
Unfortunately, just when the viewer thinks everything is going to be okay, things get much worse.
I cried a lot at the end of this film. It gave me a new lease of life & shows that the simple pleasures in life are the most important & love transcends everything.
The performances in the film are amazing, particularly , Mathieu Amalric's, that even though he is confined to most scenes with his face in the same position, he has that undeniable behind-the-eye emotion that makes him perform well & I think crying without moving your face is quite an achievement (not just sit there doing nothing).
Emmanuelle Seigner is great as his ex-partner (Celine) who seems to be grieving the loss of her children's father before he's dead & she is supportive of him throughout the film even though one gets the impression that she is still in love with Jean-Do. Marie-Josee Croze is amazing as his carer, she has a natural beauty that fits in well with her character, Henriette is clearly a complex woman who clearly does her job for fulfillment & she like many others has a bond & a conection with Jean-Do.
'The Diving Bell & The Butterfly' is unmissable, the movie has a rare quality that enables the viewer to laugh & cry during one scene.
A must see, even though it is a sad film, you'll probably go out of it feeling good.



Clever and Original Film, 17 Aug 2008
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" is a gripping French film based on a true story about a renowned magazine editor,who after suffering a devastating stroke became paralysed,only able to communicate by blinking one of his eyes. The acting in the film is of a very high standard throughout as we watch the immobile Jean-Do face up to his life altering circumstances at first with despair but then with resignation and finally acceptance of his horrible fate. He is lucky in that he has the love of two women,his wife and mistress to keep him going , as well as his three children and several attentive speech therapists and helpers. Their support bolsters his spirits and enable him to "write" his memoirs and share his experiences of life as a victim of "locked in" syndrome with the world.The film is at times depressing and sad , but it is vital and original as well.

Not a patch on the book!, 13 Aug 2008
The book was extraordinary, both for how it was painstakingly written and the condition of JDB, but mostly because it was genuinely uplifting.

The film despite being beautifully shot and well played just can't compete, it keeps having to tell us things rather than show them and basically becomes a monologue. The imagery of the diving bell which worked to well in the book falls apart when it's shown on screen - it rendered too plodding and literal. Essentially it's un-filmable.

Disappointing, stick with the book despite being a brave effort.

Funny, moving and beautifully shot - the best film of 2007!, 04 Jul 2008
The book is so beautiful a piece of personal philosophy that I went to see the film with some trepidation, but if anything the film adds to the book by Bauby. The film is beautifully shot, funny and moving (but not in a sentimental way).

The director (who does not speak fluent French) chose to retain the original language of the book and this, I believe speaks volumes in a world of cinema where the digestability of a film by a mass audience is often classed as more important than retaining the soul of a piece of artistic cinema. The film was originally meant to be made by Pathe and star Jonny Depp - I think a tragedy was averted!

This film can be enjoyed (yes enjoyed - despite its theme it really isnt at all depressing) on so many levels - as a compelling human story, as an uplifting philosophy and as a work of art. You should not miss this film.

Brilliant, bittersweet, satisfying film - not for horror lovers though, 18 Nov 2008
This is a brilliant film, up there with his "Pan's Labyrinth" and even better than "Devil's Backbone" which it in some ways resembles - a ghost story involving a children's home. A film about the fierce love between parent and child, which transcends death. I loved the bittersweet ending. It is not a horror film, so if you like horror movies, choose something else.

Eerie, 10 Nov 2008
The Orphanage is a psychological ghost story with a classic set-up involving nervy woman, empty old house, creepy kids; it is especially reminiscent of The Others but also of many other films like Don't Look Now and The Haunting and Henry James' classic novella The Turn of the Screw, which seems to have given rise to this whole subgenre of films. The Orphanage is far superior to the Others, in my opinion; Belen Rueda gives a far better performance than Kidman, not least because her face has retained the power to register emotion, which Kidman's has not. There are many exceptionally creepy moments, and a brilliantly-maintained eerie atmosphere as well as a very effective use of music and sound. In short, I found this to be one of the most effective horror films of the last few years, a ghost story in the classic style, very well-made on every level.

Good but not terrifying, 05 Nov 2008
This is a good watch once horror. The first time i watched it it was at night which only added to the horror. The film is jumpy and has the elements of a good ghost story which i always find scary.


Like Rec. the last film i reviewed this film is in a foreign language - in this case Spanish which some people might find a turn off but it didnt bother me.

The ending is very good and has a certain grace that other horror films so often lack. Unfortunately i would say that it is this very ending that makes this film unsuitable for multiple viewing but it will not be a waste of shelf space.

Heartbreaking, 28 Oct 2008
Heartbreakingly sad film, let down only by the predictability of the ending. I agree with a previous reviewer, it's not really a horror movie as is often hyped, more of a spooky-mystery-tragedy, although mystery is a bit strong as it's obvious what the outcome was going to be.
Contains some fine acting from the likes of Belen Rueda and Geraldine Chaplin.

Excellent Thriller from the Spanish Team, 08 Oct 2008
The Orphanage, does bring sophistication in ghost stories which is rarely heard of, but Guillermo Del Toro manages to pull it off time and time again, and somehow he even managed to inject his magic into this one, which he only produced - as this very much plays out like one of his own films. Not to discredit Mr. Bayona, though, for he has done a fine job. This is a dark, powerful, and moving masterpiece that both adheres to convention and brings some new, more artistic elements to the table in the direction and storytelling.

There was nothing about this film I didn't like. The acting, the thrills, the cinematography, the story, and the atmosphere. Everything was not short of sheer brilliance. The chilling moments freaked me out a couple of times, which I'm glad they did. That was what I wanted out of this film, but I was offered so much in return. Since I knew Guillermo Del Toro was involved with this project, I had a feeling it would be good. I just didn't think it would be THIS good. It was also very heart-warming, which was something I did not expect.

The acting is great, Belen Rueda as Laura is magnificent. Fernando Cayo as the husband Carlos is also good; he looks like a Spanish version of Josh Lucas. The kids do a decent job. And seeing Geraldine Chaplin (Charlie Chaplin's daughter) was a surprise, and she delivered an excellent performance as the 'seeing' medium. The bond that Laura, Simon, and Carlos shared is very sensitive and is carried out well throughout the movie.

This is definitely one of those horror films you should see more than once. The horror films you see nowadays are weak, not scary, and most of all; not worth your time. This one is WORTH the time. Believe me, his film has absolutely everything you need to know on how to make a well-executed ghost story and more.

A good film on friendship (true and betrayed), 19 Nov 2008
A good poetic look on Afghan pre-wars (80') society, with a rich and poors, casts and kites. All vanished in the storm of russian invasion and taliban's terror. Two boys, two brothers, a sad story of violence and treason, with a "sugar" happy final (but the movie isn't a "easy" film). Good cast, good plot. Only some scenes "a little" unreal, like the David vs Goliath escape from Talibans.

Emotional , 23 Oct 2008
This is not my normal sort of movie, but watched this with a friend. The film starts quite slowly, building up the background of our main characters and eventually moves to a very emotional climax. With an excellent script, story and acting, this movie has you getting frustrated with the characters and going through all that they are. With an interesting view of how Afghanistan and the Taliban are, this moving really opens your eyes and makes you think.

Love those foreign films..., 11 Oct 2008
Well done, heart-warming story, excellent actors, interesting culture and location/scenery - I highly recommend it.

Disappointed, 02 Oct 2008
One of those films you think you should see because it's been raved about. I found it slightly dull and not much happens most of the time.

Read the book, 27 Sep 2008
Rarely does a film adaptation of a book manage to do justice to the original, and I have to say this is no exception. Whilst magnificently cast the film is too brief, goes at too quick a pace and glosses over key moments that the book expresses so eloquently. A prime example of this is Amir's final confrontation with long time tormentor Assef which has been reduced here to little more than a smash and grab yarn. 'Kite runner' is a very powerful tale of friendship, betrayal,remorse and redemption but you will miss out on many colourful details without reading the book. The film is agreeable and faithful in character, but not great.

absolutely painful to warch, 19 Nov 2008
painful to watch because it uncompromisingly puts you in the head ( literally ) of the central character who can no longer talk and can hardly move - he can still look at women's breasts, which probably makes it even worse! When you realise that it's all true, and that he actually did get a book out by only blinking, it is heartwrenching. You just know it is going to end badly, unless you regard the book's publication as a vindication of the human spirit - I suppose it is , it's just that I didn't feel good about that.

The Best French Film Since Amelie!, 21 Oct 2008
'The Diving Bell & The Butterfly' is without doubt the best French film of the past couple of years.
The best words I can use to describe this film are; beautiful, poignant, sad & funny.
The subject matter is pretty morbid, based on the autobiograpphical book of the same title about a former Vogue editor who had a stroke & developed 'locked-in-syndrome' whereby he is unable to move his body or communicate, but his mind is fully working.
The very stricken upon lead (Jean-Do) is played by Mathieu Amalric.
His estranged partner- mother to his three children (played by Emmanuelle Seigners) is one of the other lead characters who helps Jean-Do through his nightmare-like state. The carer who puts a lot of time & effort into helping Jean-Do is Henriette (Marie-Josee Croze). These are in my mind the most apparent characters in the film.
What I really liked about the film was the first-person narrating from Jean-Do, he tells his story while appearing completely out of it. He is brought from being a well respected magazine editor to being a dependent hospital patient, able to do little or nothing for himself.
There wasn't anything about the film I didn't like, come to think of it, I personally don't think there were any major flaws or disappointments.
As the viewer watches the first fives minutes they are launched into seeing Jean-Do's decendance into his own physical prison.
The subject matter is unsettling & the thought of it is horrible that a person could go through such a thing, which appears to be one of the most debilitating & frustrating condition I have ever seen on film.
All the while Jean-Do retains his sense of humour, impacting those around him profoundly. The fact that the movie has some very funny scenes is a triumph, throughout Jean-Do's wallowing & self-pity he has a laugh at his own infliction, contemplates his life & achievements & learns to communicate by winking to yes & no answers.
Becuase of Jean-Do's high profile he decides to write an autobiography, so he enlists a writer to tell his life story.
Unfortunately, just when the viewer thinks everything is going to be okay, things get much worse.
I cried a lot at the end of this film. It gave me a new lease of life & shows that the simple pleasures in life are the most important & love transcends everything.
The performances in the film are amazing, particularly , Mathieu Amalric's, that even though he is confined to most scenes with his face in the same position, he has that undeniable behind-the-eye emotion that makes him perform well & I think crying without moving your face is quite an achievement (not just sit there doing nothing).
Emmanuelle Seigner is great as his ex-partner (Celine) who seems to be grieving the loss of her children's father before he's dead & she is supportive of him throughout the film even though one gets the impression that she is still in love with Jean-Do. Marie-Josee Croze is amazing as his carer, she has a natural beauty that fits in well with her character, Henriette is clearly a complex woman who clearly does her job for fulfillment & she like many others has a bond & a conection with Jean-Do.
'The Diving Bell & The Butterfly' is unmissable, the movie has a rare quality that enables the viewer to laugh & cry during one scene.
A must see, even though it is a sad film, you'll probably go out of it feeling good.



Clever and Original Film, 17 Aug 2008
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" is a gripping French film based on a true story about a renowned magazine editor,who after suffering a devastating stroke became paralysed,only able to communicate by blinking one of his eyes. The acting in the film is of a very high standard throughout as we watch the immobile Jean-Do face up to his life altering circumstances at first with despair but then with resignation and finally acceptance of his horrible fate. He is lucky in that he has the love of two women,his wife and mistress to keep him going , as well as his three children and several attentive speech therapists and helpers. Their support bolsters his spirits and enable him to "write" his memoirs and share his experiences of life as a victim of "locked in" syndrome with the world.The film is at times depressing and sad , but it is vital and original as well.

Not a patch on the book!, 13 Aug 2008
The book was extraordinary, both for how it was painstakingly written and the condition of JDB, but mostly because it was genuinely uplifting.

The film despite being beautifully shot and well played just can't compete, it keeps having to tell us things rather than show them and basically becomes a monologue. The imagery of the diving bell which worked to well in the book falls apart when it's shown on screen - it rendered too plodding and literal. Essentially it's un-filmable.

Disappointing, stick with the book despite being a brave effort.

Funny, moving and beautifully shot - the best film of 2007!, 04 Jul 2008
The book is so beautiful a piece of personal philosophy that I went to see the film with some trepidation, but if anything the film adds to the book by Bauby. The film is beautifully shot, funny and moving (but not in a sentimental way).

The director (who does not speak fluent French) chose to retain the original language of the book and this, I believe speaks volumes in a world of cinema where the digestability of a film by a mass audience is often classed as more important than retaining the soul of a piece of artistic cinema. The film was originally meant to be made by Pathe and star Jonny Depp - I think a tragedy was averted!

This film can be enjoyed (yes enjoyed - despite its theme it really isnt at all depressing) on so many levels - as a compelling human story, as an uplifting philosophy and as a work of art. You should not miss this film.

Brilliant, bittersweet, satisfying film - not for horror lovers though, 18 Nov 2008
This is a brilliant film, up there with his "Pan's Labyrinth" and even better than "Devil's Backbone" which it in some ways resembles - a ghost story involving a children's home. A film about the fierce love between parent and child, which transcends death. I loved the bittersweet ending. It is not a horror film, so if you like horror movies, choose something else.

Eerie, 10 Nov 2008
The Orphanage is a psychological ghost story with a classic set-up involving nervy woman, empty old house, creepy kids; it is especially reminiscent of The Others but also of many other films like Don't Look Now and The Haunting and Henry James' classic novella The Turn of the Screw, which seems to have given rise to this whole subgenre of films. The Orphanage is far superior to the Others, in my opinion; Belen Rueda gives a far better performance than Kidman, not least because her face has retained the power to register emotion, which Kidman's has not. There are many exceptionally creepy moments, and a brilliantly-maintained eerie atmosphere as well as a very effective use of music and sound. In short, I found this to be one of the most effective horror films of the last few years, a ghost story in the classic style, very well-made on every level.

Good but not terrifying, 05 Nov 2008
This is a good watch once horror. The first time i watched it it was at night which only added to the horror. The film is jumpy and has the elements of a good ghost story which i always find scary.


Like Rec. the last film i reviewed this film is in a foreign language - in this case Spanish which some people might find a turn off but it didnt bother me.

The ending is very good and has a certain grace that other horror films so often lack. Unfortunately i would say that it is this very ending that makes this film unsuitable for multiple viewing but it will not be a waste of shelf space.

Heartbreaking, 28 Oct 2008
Heartbreakingly sad film, let down only by the predictability of the ending. I agree with a previous reviewer, it's not really a horror movie as is often hyped, more of a spooky-mystery-tragedy, although mystery is a bit strong as it's obvious what the outcome was going to be.
Contains some fine acting from the likes of Belen Rueda and Geraldine Chaplin.

Excellent Thriller from the Spanish Team, 08 Oct 2008
The Orphanage, does bring sophistication in ghost stories which is rarely heard of, but Guillermo Del Toro manages to pull it off time and time again, and somehow he even managed to inject his magic into this one, which he only produced - as this very much plays out like one of his own films. Not to discredit Mr. Bayona, though, for he has done a fine job. This is a dark, powerful, and moving masterpiece that both adheres to convention and brings some new, more artistic elements to the table in the direction and storytelling.

There was nothing about this film I didn't like. The acting, the thrills, the cinematography, the story, and the atmosphere. Everything was not short of sheer brilliance. The chilling moments freaked me out a couple of times, which I'm glad they did. That was what I wanted out of this film, but I was offered so much in return. Since I knew Guillermo Del Toro was involved with this project, I had a feeling it would be good. I just didn't think it would be THIS good. It was also very heart-warming, which was something I did not expect.

The acting is great, Belen Rueda as Laura is magnificent. Fernando Cayo as the husband Carlos is also good; he looks like a Spanish version of Josh Lucas. The kids do a decent job. And seeing Geraldine Chaplin (Charlie Chaplin's daughter) was a surprise, and she delivered an excellent performance as the 'seeing' medium. The bond that Laura, Simon, and Carlos shared is very sensitive and is carried out well throughout the movie.

This is definitely one of those horror films you should see more than once. The horror films you see nowadays are weak, not scary, and most of all; not worth your time. This one is WORTH the time. Believe me, his film has absolutely everything you need to know on how to make a well-executed ghost story and more.


Honest, 21 Oct 2008
Its hard to think of anything negative about these two excellent films (not going to repeat the story again-there are plenty of reviews here). However its worth noting that the slowness in the pace of these films mirrors the lives and setting of the characters portraid within. If you have the time (4 hours) and patience you see the story unfolding rather than punching you in the face! The ending is one of the best, in that it is unexpected and jaw dropping. Ignore the negativity from other reviews, pseudo experts who hint but fail to suggest of better, buy them and see for yourself, it will be money well spent

Truly superb, 06 Sep 2008
Prequel and sequel, this duo impressed me big time when I first saw them. Many years later they have lost none of their lustre.

The story is based around "le Bossu" - the hunchback - a naive but dignified would-be farmer who is cheated out of his precious water supply by two crafty locals. They aim to drive down the value of his land and force a distress sale. A prolonged drought sees him ruined but when his daughter discovers the truth she sets about taking revenge...

There are striking performances from all four of the main actors and the filming is beautiful. The heat and scents of Provence are brought right into your living room.

A real pleasure.

Ridiculously over-rated French froth, 23 Jun 2008
The best French film in 20 years? A masterpiece? Both of these suggestions are quite laughable and grossly overstate the importance of this film pairing in the context of French cinema as a whole which is without much doubt the greatest cinema in the world.

Both films are rather banal, bland pedestrian adaptations of Marcel Pagnol's book (at best)and provide little in the way of cinematic poetry to justify their own existence. Claude Berri brings very little to the stories which isn't there in the books so why not simply read the book instead? Okay, there's is nothing wrong with faithful adaptations which bring nothing new or fresh to the silver screen but truthfully these stories are not that exciting or original to begin with. You'll have seen these plots in countless other (better)movies before. Both suffer from being ponderous overblown and melodramatic and lacking in any kind of credibility which might've helped to immerse the viewer into their stories. As a result the rather mawkish Manon Des Sources fails on another level altogether. Only someone who has spent too much time reading Stephen King's novels would find these films involving, moving and deeply spiritual. Think Shawshank Redemption and you get the idea.

The performances are very good from all concerned but the so-called shock revelation at the end of the second film is just a neat contrivance of plot to attempt to bring some weight to what has been seen previously. Of the hundreds of French films I have watched over the past decade, this pairing don't even begin to register in the "Best" stakes. A true measure of how mainstream and therefore conveniently and mechanically plotted any film is would be to ask the question: could Hollywood have produced this film exactly the same without crucial changes? The answer for both Jean De Florette and Manon Des Sources is undoubtably YES! There is no better way to damn with faint praise.

Just Beautiful, 07 May 2008
I bought this as I am a lover of French movies and insisted my mother watch it (though she doesn't usually watch subtitled films). We didn't plan on seeing both (each film is great entertainment in its own right and creates different emotions), my mother couldn't wait for another sitting to see the second one, it's best seen back to back. So what is so great about it? Filmed in the beautiful backdrop of Provence in France, great writing, acting and casted very well, with, Depardieu, Yves Montand, Daniel Auteuil, well all the cast giving brilliant performances. With a brilliant story and music score, the plot is written in a way that you can identify with all characters. Even my 5 year old son who would definitely not read the subtitle was captivated by the scenery and music(he happened to be around when I was watching it and I would normally be harrassed to put on a childrens dvd). A great one to pull out from time to time especially on a rainy sunday afternoon, and be captivated. Great value for money.

A masterpiece, 17 Mar 2008
My brother and his girlfriend bought this for us for Christmas, which we initially thought a surprising gift as we'd never seen (or expressed a wish in seeing) a foreign language film before. Having just watched it, I have to say it was an completely inspired choice. Initially, it's the quality of the cinematography that draws you in, as the landscape of Provence and its wild animals are portrayed at their most beautiful and detailed. Then it's the tale of an idealistic young man moving out of the town to try and make a living in the country with his family, and the way in which his neighbours conspire to thwart him. The story plays out like a Greek tragedy, but over such a generous period of time (watching both films back to back takes around four hours) that you can understand the conflicting feelings of the neighbours in a way that makes the ending both poignant and satisfying. All kinds of big themes are touched on before then: greed, love, kindness, betrayal, sacrifice, regret, dedication, mistrust and prejudice are just some of them, but they're essayed in such an understated way that you never feel that the film is heavyhanded in getting its point across. Since it's impossible to imagine seeing one film without the other, this double set is really the only way to experience this masterpiece.

The Science of Sleep concerns the flirtations and misunderstandings of Stéphane (played by Gael García Bernal), an aspiring visual artist, and Stéphanie (played by Charlotte Gainsbourg), his Parisian neighbour who creates whimsical sculptures from cotton balls and felt. As Stéphane toils in a caustic office for a company that makes calendars, he retreats into his dreams and finds them increasingly hard to distinguish from reality, and vice-versa.

The French magician and director Georges Méliès was arguably the first master of special effects, filling the silent movie houses of the early 20th century with camera trickery that stunned and delighted audiences. A century later, Michel Gondry works very much in the spirit of his artistic predecessor and countryman, creating films and music videos that feel just as hand-crafted and visually fantastical. The Science of Sleep is a trilingual film, with dialogue spoken in French, English, and Spanish by characters who are very much global citizens, crossing boundaries of consciousness as easily as they cross boundaries of culture. Gondry decorates his love story with deliberately low-tech special effects, including cellophane made to look like bath water and a subconscious television studio constructed largely of corrugated cardboard. This is filmmaking with all the seams and stitches exposed, an appreciation for the patent falseness of films that nonetheless transport and enchant us. It's dreamy. --Ryan Boudinot

A good film on friendship (true and betrayed), 19 Nov 2008
A good poetic look on Afghan pre-wars (80') society, with a rich and poors, casts and kites. All vanished in the storm of russian invasion and taliban's terror. Two boys, two brothers, a sad story of violence and treason, with a "sugar" happy final (but the movie isn't a "easy" film). Good cast, good plot. Only some scenes "a little" unreal, like the David vs Goliath escape from Talibans.

Emotional , 23 Oct 2008
This is not my normal sort of movie, but watched this with a friend. The film starts quite slowly, building up the background of our main characters and eventually moves to a very emotional climax. With an excellent script, story and acting, this movie has you getting frustrated with the characters and going through all that they are. With an interesting view of how Afghanistan and the Taliban are, this moving really opens your eyes and makes you think.

Love those foreign films..., 11 Oct 2008
Well done, heart-warming story, excellent actors, interesting culture and location/scenery - I highly recommend it.

Disappointed, 02 Oct 2008
One of those films you think you should see because it's been raved about. I found it slightly dull and not much happens most of the time.

Read the book, 27 Sep 2008
Rarely does a film adaptation of a book manage to do justice to the original, and I have to say this is no exception. Whilst magnificently cast the film is too brief, goes at too quick a pace and glosses over key moments that the book expresses so eloquently. A prime example of this is Amir's final confrontation with long time tormentor Assef which has been reduced here to little more than a smash and grab yarn. 'Kite runner' is a very powerful tale of friendship, betrayal,remorse and redemption but you will miss out on many colourful details without reading the book. The film is agreeable and faithful in character, but not great.

absolutely painful to warch, 19 Nov 2008
painful to watch because it uncompromisingly puts you in the head ( literally ) of the central character who can no longer talk and can hardly move - he can still look at women's breasts, which probably makes it even worse! When you realise that it's all true, and that he actually did get a book out by only blinking, it is heartwrenching. You just know it is going to end badly, unless you regard the book's publication as a vindication of the human spirit - I suppose it is , it's just that I didn't feel good about that.

The Best French Film Since Amelie!, 21 Oct 2008
'The Diving Bell & The Butterfly' is without doubt the best French film of the past couple of years.
The best words I can use to describe this film are; beautiful, poignant, sad & funny.
The subject matter is pretty morbid, based on the autobiograpphical book of the same title about a former Vogue editor who had a stroke & developed 'locked-in-syndrome' whereby he is unable to move his body or communicate, but his mind is fully working.
The very stricken upon lead (Jean-Do) is played by Mathieu Amalric.
His estranged partner- mother to his three children (played by Emmanuelle Seigners) is one of the other lead characters who helps Jean-Do through his nightmare-like state. The carer who puts a lot of time & effort into helping Jean-Do is Henriette (Marie-Josee Croze). These are in my mind the most apparent characters in the film.
What I really liked about the film was the first-person narrating from Jean-Do, he tells his story while appearing completely out of it. He is brought from being a well respected magazine editor to being a dependent hospital patient, able to do little or nothing for himself.
There wasn't anything about the film I didn't like, come to think of it, I personally don't think there were any major flaws or disappointments.
As the viewer watches the first fives minutes they are launched into seeing Jean-Do's decendance into his own physical prison.
The subject matter is unsettling & the thought of it is horrible that a person could go through such a thing, which appears to be one of the most debilitating & frustrating condition I have ever seen on film.
All the while Jean-Do retains his sense of humour, impacting those around him profoundly. The fact that the movie has some very funny scenes is a triumph, throughout Jean-Do's wallowing & self-pity he has a laugh at his own infliction, contemplates his life & achievements & learns to communicate by winking to yes & no answers.
Becuase of Jean-Do's high profile he decides to write an autobiography, so he enlists a writer to tell his life story.
Unfortunately, just when the viewer thinks everything is going to be okay, things get much worse.
I cried a lot at the end of this film. It gave me a new lease of life & shows that the simple pleasures in life are the most important & love transcends everything.
The performances in the film are amazing, particularly , Mathieu Amalric's, that even though he is confined to most scenes with his face in the same position, he has that undeniable behind-the-eye emotion that makes him perform well & I think crying without moving your face is quite an achievement (not just sit there doing nothing).
Emmanuelle Seigner is great as his ex-partner (Celine) who seems to be grieving the loss of her children's father before he's dead & she is supportive of him throughout the film even though one gets the impression that she is still in love with Jean-Do. Marie-Josee Croze is amazing as his carer, she has a natural beauty that fits in well with her character, Henriette is clearly a complex woman who clearly does her job for fulfillment & she like many others has a bond & a conection with Jean-Do.
'The Diving Bell & The Butterfly' is unmissable, the movie has a rare quality that enables the viewer to laugh & cry during one scene.
A must see, even though it is a sad film, you'll probably go out of it feeling good.



Clever and Original Film, 17 Aug 2008
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" is a gripping French film based on a true story about a renowned magazine editor,who after suffering a devastating stroke became paralysed,only able to communicate by blinking one of his eyes. The acting in the film is of a very high standard throughout as we watch the immobile Jean-Do face up to his life altering circumstances at first with despair but then with resignation and finally acceptance of his horrible fate. He is lucky in that he has the love of two women,his wife and mistress to keep him going , as well as his three children and several attentive speech therapists and helpers. Their support bolsters his spirits and enable him to "write" his memoirs and share his experiences of life as a victim of "locked in" syndrome with the world.The film is at times depressing and sad , but it is vital and original as well.

Not a patch on the book!, 13 Aug 2008
The book was extraordinary, both for how it was painstakingly written and the condition of JDB, but mostly because it was genuinely uplifting.

The film despite being beautifully shot and well played just can't compete, it keeps having to tell us things rather than show them and basically becomes a monologue. The imagery of the diving bell which worked to well in the book falls apart when it's shown on screen - it rendered too plodding and literal. Essentially it's un-filmable.

Disappointing, stick with the book despite being a brave effort.

Funny, moving and beautifully shot - the best film of 2007!, 04 Jul 2008
The book is so beautiful a piece of personal philosophy that I went to see the film with some trepidation, but if anything the film adds to the book by Bauby. The film is beautifully shot, funny and moving (but not in a sentimental way).

The director (who does not speak fluent French) chose to retain the original language of the book and this, I believe speaks volumes in a world of cinema where the digestability of a film by a mass audience is often classed as more important than retaining the soul of a piece of artistic cinema. The film was originally meant to be made by Pathe and star Jonny Depp - I think a tragedy was averted!

This film can be enjoyed (yes enjoyed - despite its theme it really isnt at all depressing) on so many levels - as a compelling human story, as an uplifting philosophy and as a work of art. You should not miss this film.

Brilliant, bittersweet, satisfying film - not for horror lovers though, 18 Nov 2008
This is a brilliant film, up there with his "Pan's Labyrinth" and even better than "Devil's Backbone" which it in some ways resembles - a ghost story involving a children's home. A film about the fierce love between parent and child, which transcends death. I loved the bittersweet ending. It is not a horror film, so if you like horror movies, choose something else.

Eerie, 10 Nov 2008
The Orphanage is a psychological ghost story with a classic set-up involving nervy woman, empty old house, creepy kids; it is especially reminiscent of The Others but also of many other films like Don't Look Now and The Haunting and Henry James' classic novella The Turn of the Screw, which seems to have given rise to this whole subgenre of films. The Orphanage is far superior to the Others, in my opinion; Belen Rueda gives a far better performance than Kidman, not least because her face has retained the power to register emotion, which Kidman's has not. There are many exceptionally creepy moments, and a brilliantly-maintained eerie atmosphere as well as a very effective use of music and sound. In short, I found this to be one of the most effective horror films of the last few years, a ghost story in the classic style, very well-made on every level.

Good but not terrifying, 05 Nov 2008
This is a good watch once horror. The first time i watched it it was at night which only added to the horror. The film is jumpy and has the elements of a good ghost story which i always find scary.


Like Rec. the last film i reviewed this film is in a foreign language - in this case Spanish which some people might find a turn off but it didnt bother me.

The ending is very good and has a certain grace that other horror films so often lack. Unfortunately i would say that it is this very ending that makes this film unsuitable for multiple viewing but it will not be a waste of shelf space.

Heartbreaking, 28 Oct 2008
Heartbreakingly sad film, let down only by the predictability of the ending. I agree with a previous reviewer, it's not really a horror movie as is often hyped, more of a spooky-mystery-tragedy, although mystery is a bit strong as it's obvious what the outcome was going to be.
Contains some fine acting from the likes of Belen Rueda and Geraldine Chaplin.

Excellent Thriller from the Spanish Team, 08 Oct 2008
The Orphanage, does bring sophistication in ghost stories which is rarely heard of, but Guillermo Del Toro manages to pull it off time and time again, and somehow he even managed to inject his magic into this one, which he only produced - as this very much plays out like one of his own films. Not to discredit Mr. Bayona, though, for he has done a fine job. This is a dark, powerful, and moving masterpiece that both adheres to convention and brings some new, more artistic elements to the table in the direction and storytelling.

There was nothing about this film I didn't like. The acting, the thrills, the cinematography, the story, and the atmosphere. Everything was not short of sheer brilliance. The chilling moments freaked me out a couple of times, which I'm glad they did. That was what I wanted out of this film, but I was offered so much in return. Since I knew Guillermo Del Toro was involved with this project, I had a feeling it would be good. I just didn't think it would be THIS good. It was also very heart-warming, which was something I did not expect.

The acting is great, Belen Rueda as Laura is magnificent. Fernando Cayo as the husband Carlos is also good; he looks like a Spanish version of Josh Lucas. The kids do a decent job. And seeing Geraldine Chaplin (Charlie Chaplin's daughter) was a surprise, and she delivered an excellent performance as the 'seeing' medium. The bond that Laura, Simon, and Carlos shared is very sensitive and is carried out well throughout the movie.

This is definitely one of those horror films you should see more than once. The horror films you see nowadays are weak, not scary, and most of all; not worth your time. This one is WORTH the time. Believe me, his film has absolutely everything you need to know on how to make a well-executed ghost story and more.


Honest, 21 Oct 2008
Its hard to think of anything negative about these two excellent films (not going to repeat the story again-there are plenty of reviews here). However its worth noting that the slowness in the pace of these films mirrors the lives and setting of the characters portraid within. If you have the time (4 hours) and patience you see the story unfolding rather than punching you in the face! The ending is one of the best, in that it is unexpected and jaw dropping. Ignore the negativity from other reviews, pseudo experts who hint but fail to suggest of better, buy them and see for yourself, it will be money well spent

Truly superb, 06 Sep 2008
Prequel and sequel, this duo impressed me big time when I first saw them. Many years later they have lost none of their lustre.

The story is based around "le Bossu" - the hunchback - a naive but dignified would-be farmer who is cheated out of his precious water supply by two crafty locals. They aim to drive down the value of his land and force a distress sale. A prolonged drought sees him ruined but when his daughter discovers the truth she sets about taking revenge...

There are striking performances from all four of the main actors and the filming is beautiful. The heat and scents of Provence are brought right into your living room.

A real pleasure.

Ridiculously over-rated French froth, 23 Jun 2008
The best French film in 20 years? A masterpiece? Both of these suggestions are quite laughable and grossly overstate the importance of this film pairing in the context of French cinema as a whole which is without much doubt the greatest cinema in the world.

Both films are rather banal, bland pedestrian adaptations of Marcel Pagnol's book (at best)and provide little in the way of cinematic poetry to justify their own existence. Claude Berri brings very little to the stories which isn't there in the books so why not simply read the book instead? Okay, there's is nothing wrong with faithful adaptations which bring nothing new or fresh to the silver screen but truthfully these stories are not that exciting or original to begin with. You'll have seen these plots in countless other (better)movies before. Both suffer from being ponderous overblown and melodramatic and lacking in any kind of credibility which might've helped to immerse the viewer into their stories. As a result the rather mawkish Manon Des Sources fails on another level altogether. Only someone who has spent too much time reading Stephen King's novels would find these films involving, moving and deeply spiritual. Think Shawshank Redemption and you get the idea.

The performances are very good from all concerned but the so-called shock revelation at the end of the second film is just a neat contrivance of plot to attempt to bring some weight to what has been seen previously. Of the hundreds of French films I have watched over the past decade, this pairing don't even begin to register in the "Best" stakes. A true measure of how mainstream and therefore conveniently and mechanically plotted any film is would be to ask the question: could Hollywood have produced this film exactly the same without crucial changes? The answer for both Jean De Florette and Manon Des Sources is undoubtably YES! There is no better way to damn with faint praise.

Just Beautiful, 07 May 2008
I bought this as I am a lover of French movies and insisted my mother watch it (though she doesn't usually watch subtitled films). We didn't plan on seeing both (each film is great entertainment in its own right and creates different emotions), my mother couldn't wait for another sitting to see the second one, it's best seen back to back. So what is so great about it? Filmed in the beautiful backdrop of Provence in France, great writing, acting and casted very well, with, Depardieu, Yves Montand, Daniel Auteuil, well all the cast giving brilliant performances. With a brilliant story and music score, the plot is written in a way that you can identify with all characters. Even my 5 year old son who would definitely not read the subtitle was captivated by the scenery and music(he happened to be around when I was watching it and I would normally be harrassed to put on a childrens dvd). A great one to pull out from time to time especially on a rainy sunday afternoon, and be captivated. Great value for money.

A masterpiece, 17 Mar 2008
My brother and his girlfriend bought this for us for Christmas, which we initially thought a surprising gift as we'd never seen (or expressed a wish in seeing) a foreign language film before. Having just watched it, I have to say it was an completely inspired choice. Initially, it's the quality of the cinematography that draws you in, as the landscape of Provence and its wild animals are portrayed at their most beautiful and detailed. Then it's the tale of an idealistic young man moving out of the town to try and make a living in the country with his family, and the way in which his neighbours conspire to thwart him. The story plays out like a Greek tragedy, but over such a generous period of time (watching both films back to back takes around four hours) that you can understand the conflicting feelings of the neighbours in a way that makes the ending both poignant and satisfying. All kinds of big themes are touched on before then: greed, love, kindness, betrayal, sacrifice, regret, dedication, mistrust and prejudice are just some of them, but they're essayed in such an understated way that you never feel that the film is heavyhanded in getting its point across. Since it's impossible to imagine seeing one film without the other, this double set is really the only way to experience this masterpiece.

Has to be seen to be believed, 18 Oct 2008
I cant write a positive review of this film because I didnt think the characters where that interesting, there's little or no plot and its not compelling viewing in the least.

However, I think it has to be seen to be believed because of its bewildering strangeness.

The film begins with a scene of a man in what appears to be a studio telling you what are the ingredients of a dream, throughout the movie it cuts back to this scene and I think perhaps its meant to be his conscience, the point is its not clear at all.

It could as easily be a dream state because frequently throughout the movie the central character and others cut back and forth between dreams and reality, some of the dreams are clever but eighties pop video or visually clever rather than cerebrally challenging clever. I found the cutting between three different languages (english, french, spanish) annoying and sudden sexualised comment strange too.

Anyone who would rate this very highly should consider the story about the Emperors New Clothes, its worth a watch, perhaps even worth watching over again if you're interested in the odd, nonsensical or confusing but ultimately it could have been so much better.

Recommended, 07 Sep 2008
I really enjoyed this film. The whole film looks great. I love how they blend being awake with being asleep. Really good dialog, I thoroughly recommend seeing this film.

Disappointing, 27 Apr 2008
i bought this film on the strength of Eternal Sunshine but am left so disappointed - took three stabs to watch it in entirety. Best parts were the closing frames (as illustrated on the DVD sleeve) and closing soundtrack. A letdown.

A Mess, 13 Mar 2008
I loved Human Nature and Eternal Sunshine but since then it's been a rapid decline in my eyes, reaching new depths with Be Kind Rewind which was beyond awful...without a Kaufmann script Michel Gondry appears to be unable to fashion anything himself outside of music video slapstick. This is an irritatingly wacky idea that's been drawn out into a film - lame half-characters I didn't care about speaking banal dialog to each other. I went into the cinema with great enthusiasm but this was too much pop video, novel bits of papier-mache patchwork surrealism trying to paper over the cracks of an otherwise dull self-indulgent tale.

Confusing at times, but beautiful to behold., 27 Jan 2008
I thought this movie was really beautiful. It was intensely creative and explored many ideas at once. The only quip i have with it is that i felt at times the line between shephane's dreams and real life was too blurred, and to that end its hard to make out a story line. As a matter of fact the whole experience of the film (id go so far as to call it an experience) was very much like a dream, in that thinking back on it now, i can only remember small details, little quirks and emotions and romances, and nothing much of what actually happened.

I recommend you buy this film if you were a fan of 'eternal sunshine' or, in fact, if you are a fan of quirky french films or surrealism.

I recommend too, that you watch it more than once.

A good film on friendship (true and betrayed), 19 Nov 2008
A good poetic look on Afghan pre-wars (80') society, with a rich and poors, casts and kites. All vanished in the storm of russian invasion and taliban's terror. Two boys, two brothers, a sad story of violence and treason, with a "sugar" happy final (but the movie isn't a "easy" film). Good cast, good plot. Only some scenes "a little" unreal, like the David vs Goliath escape from Talibans.

Emotional , 23 Oct 2008
This is not my normal sort of movie, but watched this with a friend. The film starts quite slowly, building up the background of our main characters and eventually moves to a very emotional climax. With an excellent script, story and acting, this movie has you getting frustrated with the characters and going through all that they are. With an interesting view of how Afghanistan and the Taliban are, this moving really opens your eyes and makes you think.

Love those foreign films..., 11 Oct 2008
Well done, heart-warming story, excellent actors, interesting culture and location/scenery - I highly recommend it.

Disappointed, 02 Oct 2008
One of those films you think you should see because it's been raved about. I found it slightly dull and not much happens most of the time.

Read the book, 27 Sep 2008
Rarely does a film adaptation of a book manage to do justice to the original, and I have to say this is no exception. Whilst magnificently cast the film is too brief, goes at too quick a pace and glosses over key moments that the book expresses so eloquently. A prime example of this is Amir's final confrontation with long time tormentor Assef which has been reduced here to little more than a smash and grab yarn. 'Kite runner' is a very powerful tale of friendship, betrayal,remorse and redemption but you will miss out on many colourful details without reading the book. The film is agreeable and faithful in character, but not great.

absolutely painful to warch, 19 Nov 2008
painful to watch because it uncompromisingly puts you in the head ( literally ) of the central character who can no longer talk and can hardly move - he can still look at women's breasts, which probably makes it even worse! When you realise that it's all true, and that he actually did get a book out by only blinking, it is heartwrenching. You just know it is going to end badly, unless you regard the book's publication as a vindication of the human spirit - I suppose it is , it's just that I didn't feel good about that.

The Best French Film Since Amelie!, 21 Oct 2008
'The Diving Bell & The Butterfly' is without doubt the best French film of the past couple of years.
The best words I can use to describe this film are; beautiful, poignant, sad & funny.
The subject matter is pretty morbid, based on the autobiograpphical book of the same title about a former Vogue editor who had a stroke & developed 'locked-in-syndrome' whereby he is unable to move his body or communicate, but his mind is fully working.
The very stricken upon lead (Jean-Do) is played by Mathieu Amalric.
His estranged partner- mother to his three children (played by Emmanuelle Seigners) is one of the other lead characters who helps Jean-Do through his nightmare-like state. The carer who puts a lot of time & effort into helping Jean-Do is Henriette (Marie-Josee Croze). These are in my mind the most apparent characters in the film.
What I really liked about the film was the first-person narrating from Jean-Do, he tells his story while appearing completely out of it. He is brought from being a well respected magazine editor to being a dependent hospital patient, able to do little or nothing for himself.
There wasn't anything about the film I didn't like, come to think of it, I personally don't think there were any major flaws or disappointments.
As the viewer watches the first fives minutes they are launched into seeing Jean-Do's decendance into his own physical prison.
The subject matter is unsettling & the thought of it is horrible that a person could go through such a thing, which appears to be one of the most debilitating & frustrating condition I have ever seen on film.
All the while Jean-Do retains his sense of humour, impacting those around him profoundly. The fact that the movie has some very funny scenes is a triumph, throughout Jean-Do's wallowing & self-pity he has a laugh at his own infliction, contemplates his life & achievements & learns to communicate by winking to yes & no answers.
Becuase of Jean-Do's high profile he decides to write an autobiography, so he enlists a writer to tell his life story.
Unfortunately, just when the viewer thinks everything is going to be okay, things get much worse.
I cried a lot at the end of this film. It gave me a new lease of life & shows that the simple pleasures in life are the most important & love transcends everything.
The performances in the film are amazing, particularly , Mathieu Amalric's, that even though he is confined to most scenes with his face in the same position, he has that undeniable behind-the-eye emotion that makes him perform well & I think crying without moving your face is quite an achievement (not just sit there doing nothing).
Emmanuelle Seigner is great as his ex-partner (Celine) who seems to be grieving the loss of her children's father before he's dead & she is supportive of him throughout the film even though one gets the impression that she is still in love with Jean-Do. Marie-Josee Croze is amazing as his carer, she has a natural beauty that fits in well with her character, Henriette is clearly a complex woman who clearly does her job for fulfillment & she like many others has a bond & a conection with Jean-Do.
'The Diving Bell & The Butterfly' is unmissable, the movie has a rare quality that enables the viewer to laugh & cry during one scene.
A must see, even though it is a sad film, you'll probably go out of it feeling good.



Clever and Original Film, 17 Aug 2008
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" is a gripping French film based on a true story about a renowned magazine editor,who after suffering a devastating stroke became paralysed,only able to communicate by blinking one of his eyes. The acting in the film is of a very high standard throughout as we watch the immobile Jean-Do face up to his life altering circumstances at first with despair but then with resignation and finally acceptance of his horrible fate. He is lucky in that he has the love of two women,his wife and mistress to keep him going , as well as his three children and several attentive speech therapists and helpers. Their support bolsters his spirits and enable him to "write" his memoirs and share his experiences of life as a victim of "locked in" syndrome with the world.The film is at times depressing and sad , but it is vital and original as well.

Not a patch on the book!, 13 Aug 2008
The book was extraordinary, both for how it was painstakingly written and the condition of JDB, but mostly because it was genuinely uplifting.

The film despite being beautifully shot and well played just can't compete, it keeps having to tell us things rather than show them and basically becomes a monologue. The imagery of the diving bell which worked to well in the book falls apart when it's shown on screen - it rendered too plodding and literal. Essentially it's un-filmable.

Disappointing, stick with the book despite being a brave effort.

Funny, moving and beautifully shot - the best film of 2007!, 04 Jul 2008
The book is so beautiful a piece of personal philosophy that I went to see the film with some trepidation, but if anything the film adds to the book by Bauby. The film is beautifully shot, funny and moving (but not in a sentimental way).

The director (who does not speak fluent French) chose to retain the original language of the book and this, I believe speaks volumes in a world of cinema where the digestability of a film by a mass audience is often classed as more important than retaining the soul of a piece of artistic cinema. The film was originally meant to be made by Pathe and star Jonny Depp - I think a tragedy was averted!

This film can be enjoyed (yes enjoyed - despite its theme it really isnt at all depressing) on so many levels - as a compelling human story, as an uplifting philosophy and as a work of art. You should not miss this film.

Brilliant, bittersweet, satisfying film - not for horror lovers though, 18 Nov 2008
This is a brilliant film, up there with his "Pan's Labyrinth" and even better than "Devil's Backbone" which it in some ways resembles - a ghost story involving a children's home. A film about the fierce love between parent and child, which transcends death. I loved the bittersweet ending. It is not a horror film, so if you like horror movies, choose something else.

Eerie, 10 Nov 2008
The Orphanage is a psychological ghost story with a classic set-up involving nervy woman, empty old house, creepy kids; it is especially reminiscent of The Others but also of many other films like Don't Look Now and The Haunting and Henry James' classic novella The Turn of the Screw, which seems to have given rise to this whole subgenre of films. The Orphanage is far superior to the Others, in my opinion; Belen Rueda gives a far better performance than Kidman, not least because her face has retained the power to register emotion, which Kidman's has not. There are many exceptionally creepy moments, and a brilliantly-maintained eerie atmosphere as well as a very effective use of music and sound. In short, I found this to be one of the most effective horror films of the last few years, a ghost story in the classic style, very well-made on every level.

Good but not terrifying, 05 Nov 2008
This is a good watch once horror. The first time i watched it it was at night which only added to the horror. The film is jumpy and has the elements of a good ghost story which i always find scary.


Like Rec. the last film i reviewed this film is in a foreign language - in this case Spanish which some people might find a turn off but it didnt bother me.

The ending is very good and has a certain grace that other horror films so often lack. Unfortunately i would say that it is this very ending that makes this film unsuitable for multiple viewing but it will not be a waste of shelf space.

Heartbreaking, 28 Oct 2008
Heartbreakingly sad film, let down only by the predictability of the ending. I agree with a previous reviewer, it's not really a horror movie as is often hyped, more of a spooky-mystery-tragedy, although mystery is a bit strong as it's obvious what the outcome was going to be.
Contains some fine acting from the likes of Belen Rueda and Geraldine Chaplin.

Excellent Thriller from the Spanish Team, 08 Oct 2008
The Orphanage, does bring sophistication in ghost stories which is rarely heard of, but Guillermo Del Toro manages to pull it off time and time again, and somehow he even managed to inject his magic into this one, which he only produced - as this very much plays out like one of his own films. Not to discredit Mr. Bayona, though, for he has done a fine job. This is a dark, powerful, and moving masterpiece that both adheres to convention and brings some new, more artistic elements to the table in the direction and storytelling.

There was nothing about this film I didn't like. The acting, the thrills, the cinematography, the story, and the atmosphere. Everything was not short of sheer brilliance. The chilling moments freaked me out a couple of times, which I'm glad they did. That was what I wanted out of this film, but I was offered so much in return. Since I knew Guillermo Del Toro was involved with this project, I had a feeling it would be good. I just didn't think it would be THIS good. It was also very heart-warming, which was something I did not expect.

The acting is great, Belen Rueda as Laura is magnificent. Fernando Cayo as the husband Carlos is also good; he looks like a Spanish version of Josh Lucas. The kids do a decent job. And seeing Geraldine Chaplin (Charlie Chaplin's daughter) was a surprise, and she delivered an excellent performance as the 'seeing' medium. The bond that Laura, Simon, and Carlos shared is very sensitive and is carried out well throughout the movie.

This is definitely one of those horror films you should see more than once. The horror films you see nowadays are weak, not scary, and most of all; not worth your time. This one is WORTH the time. Believe me, his film has absolutely everything you need to know on how to make a well-executed ghost story and more.


Honest, 21 Oct 2008
Its hard to think of anything negative about these two excellent films (not going to repeat the story again-there are plenty of reviews here). However its worth noting that the slowness in the pace of these films mirrors the lives and setting of the characters portraid within. If you have the time (4 hours) and patience you see the story unfolding rather than punching you in the face! The ending is one of the best, in that it is unexpected and jaw dropping. Ignore the negativity from other reviews, pseudo experts who hint but fail to suggest of better, buy them and see for yourself, it will be money well spent

Truly superb, 06 Sep 2008
Prequel and sequel, this duo impressed me big time when I first saw them. Many years later they have lost none of their lustre.

The story is based around "le Bossu" - the hunchback - a naive but dignified would-be farmer who is cheated out of his precious water supply by two crafty locals. They aim to drive down the value of his land and force a distress sale. A prolonged drought sees him ruined but when his daughter discovers the truth she sets about taking revenge...

There are striking performances from all four of the main actors and the filming is beautiful. The heat and scents of Provence are brought right into your living room.

A real pleasure.

Ridiculously over-rated French froth, 23 Jun 2008
The best French film in 20 years? A masterpiece? Both of these suggestions are quite laughable and grossly overstate the importance of this film pairing in the context of French cinema as a whole which is without much doubt the greatest cinema in the world.

Both films are rather banal, bland pedestrian adaptations of Marcel Pagnol's book (at best)and provide little in the way of cinematic poetry to justify their own existence. Claude Berri brings very little to the stories which isn't there in the books so why not simply read the book instead? Okay, there's is nothing wrong with faithful adaptations which bring nothing new or fresh to the silver screen but truthfully these stories are not that exciting or original to begin with. You'll have seen these plots in countless other (better)movies before. Both suffer from being ponderous overblown and melodramatic and lacking in any kind of credibility which might've helped to immerse the viewer into their stories. As a result the rather mawkish Manon Des Sources fails on another level altogether. Only someone who has spent too much time reading Stephen King's novels would find these films involving, moving and deeply spiritual. Think Shawshank Redemption and you get the idea.

The performances are very good from all concerned but the so-called shock revelation at the end of the second film is just a neat contrivance of plot to attempt to bring some weight to what has been seen previously. Of the hundreds of French films I have watched over the past decade, this pairing don't even begin to register in the "Best" stakes. A true measure of how mainstream and therefore conveniently and mechanically plotted any film is would be to ask the question: could Hollywood have produced this film exactly the same without crucial changes? The answer for both Jean De Florette and Manon Des Sources is undoubtably YES! There is no better way to damn with faint praise.

Just Beautiful, 07 May 2008
I bought this as I am a lover of French movies and insisted my mother watch it (though she doesn't usually watch subtitled films). We didn't plan on seeing both (each film is great entertainment in its own right and creates different emotions), my mother couldn't wait for another sitting to see the second one, it's best seen back to back. So what is so great about it? Filmed in the beautiful backdrop of Provence in France, great writing, acting and casted very well, with, Depardieu, Yves Montand, Daniel Auteuil, well all the cast giving brilliant performances. With a brilliant story and music score, the plot is written in a way that you can identify with all characters. Even my 5 year old son who would definitely not read the subtitle was captivated by the scenery and music(he happened to be around when I was watching it and I would normally be harrassed to put on a childrens dvd). A great one to pull out from time to time especially on a rainy sunday afternoon, and be captivated. Great value for money.

A masterpiece, 17 Mar 2008
My brother and his girlfriend bought this for us for Christmas, which we initially thought a surprising gift as we'd never seen (or expressed a wish in seeing) a foreign language film before. Having just watched it, I have to say it was an completely inspired choice. Initially, it's the quality of the cinematography that draws you in, as the landscape of Provence and its wild animals are portrayed at their most beautiful and detailed. Then it's the tale of an idealistic young man moving out of the town to try and make a living in the country with his family, and the way in which his neighbours conspire to thwart him. The story plays out like a Greek tragedy, but over such a generous period of time (watching both films back to back takes around four hours) that you can understand the conflicting feelings of the neighbours in a way that makes the ending both poignant and satisfying. All kinds of big themes are touched on before then: greed, love, kindness, betrayal, sacrifice, regret, dedication, mistrust and prejudice are just some of them, but they're essayed in such an understated way that you never feel that the film is heavyhanded in getting its point across. Since it's impossible to imagine seeing one film without the other, this double set is really the only way to experience this masterpiece.

Has to be seen to be believed, 18 Oct 2008
I cant write a positive review of this film because I didnt think the characters where that interesting, there's little or no plot and its not compelling viewing in the least.

However, I think it has to be seen to be believed because of its bewildering strangeness.

The film begins with a scene of a man in what appears to be a studio telling you what are the ingredients of a dream, throughout the movie it cuts back to this scene and I think perhaps its meant to be his conscience, the point is its not clear at all.

It could as easily be a dream state because frequently throughout the movie the central character and others cut back and forth between dreams and reality, some of the dreams are clever but eighties pop video or visually clever rather than cerebrally challenging clever. I found the cutting between three different languages (english, french, spanish) annoying and sudden sexualised comment strange too.

Anyone who would rate this very highly should consider the story about the Emperors New Clothes, its worth a watch, perhaps even worth watching over again if you're interested in the odd, nonsensical or confusing but ultimately it could have been so much better.

Recommended, 07 Sep 2008
I really enjoyed this film. The whole film looks great. I love how they blend being awake with being asleep. Really good dialog, I thoroughly recommend seeing this film.

Disappointing, 27 Apr 2008
i bought this film on the strength of Eternal Sunshine but am left so disappointed - took three stabs to watch it in entirety. Best parts were the closing frames (as illustrated on the DVD sleeve) and closing soundtrack. A letdown.

A Mess, 13 Mar 2008
I loved Human Nature and Eternal Sunshine but since then it's been a rapid decline in my eyes, reaching new depths with Be Kind Rewind which was beyond awful...without a Kaufmann script Michel Gondry appears to be unable to fashion anything himself outside of music video slapstick. This is an irritatingly wacky idea that's been drawn out into a film - lame half-characters I didn't care about speaking banal dialog to each other. I went into the cinema with great enthusiasm but this was too much pop video, novel bits of papier-mache patchwork surrealism trying to paper over the cracks of an otherwise dull self-indulgent tale.

Confusing at times, but beautiful to behold., 27 Jan 2008
I thought this movie was really beautiful. It was intensely creative and explored many ideas at once. The only quip i have with it is that i felt at times the line between shephane's dreams and real life was too blurred, and to that end its hard to make out a story line. As a matter of fact the whole experience of the film (id go so far as to call it an experience) was very much like a dream, in that thinking back on it now, i can only remember small details, little quirks and emotions and romances, and nothing much of what actually happened.

I recommend you buy this film if you were a fan of 'eternal sunshine' or, in fact, if you are a fan of quirky french films or surrealism.

I recommend too, that you watch it more than once.

Excellent wartime adventure, 06 Oct 2008
I first saw this film in the cinema, and am so glad it is now out on DVD. As a big fan of war films, Female Agents is easily the best of this year, with cracking performances from all the main leads, especially Sophie Marceau.

Set in 1944 during World War II, the film tells the story of four women resistance fighter given the mission to rescue a British geologist. Based on a true story, the action rarely lets up with a fantastic script complemented by gorgeous cinematography. Watch out for the subway scene - it's a classic!

I spy with my little eye........a great film, 02 Aug 2008
Not typical French cinema i must admit.This is very much main stream world cinema.Should be enjoyed by anyone that likes a cracking good adventure yarn with plot twists aplenty and one suspensful scene after another.The performances are superb with Marceau showing a mixture of steely eyed patriotism and female vulnerability in her lead character.The supporting cast are great also.This is based on a true story but how much cinematic license has been taken i am not sure.Either way its a rattling good adventure yarn to keep you on the edge of your seat from the very first minute.

What A Great Film. , 03 Jul 2008
Based on a true story, this great film shows that in war, there are plenty of female war heroines, that people often forget about. Set in the Second World War, this film is about four extremely corageous and brave women from different backgrounds, who are employed as spies by an Intelligence and Sabotage Service overseen by Winston Churchill. A good synopsis of the film is detailed above (see Amazon Review), but then again, it does give a bit too much away.

'Female Agents' was subtitled throughout (As most of it is in French or German). I didn't find the subtitles a disadvantage, because the film wouldn't have had the same effect if it had been shown in any other way.

I was so glad I went to see this at the cinema, its one of the best films I've seen in ages, and I will definitely be watching it again when it comes out on dvd. It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, especially towards the end! Highly Recommended!!

La Haine is an angry, anti-authoritarian French film that concerns three young guys (a Jew, an Arab, a black) who decide to take on the police after a friend is brutally beaten. There isn't much going on in this black and white drama beyond its violence (which can be pretty hard to watch, such as an interrogation scene that incorporates torture) and gritty observations of wayward youths hanging out on the fringes of Paris. Certainly, there isn't much in the way of insight, and director Mathieu Kassovitz seems to have absorbed more of the excesses of America's independent film scene, especially Spike Lee at his most indulgent, than its blessings. But if it's edge and rawness you want, this has it--with subtitles. --Tom Keogh

A good film on friendship (true and betrayed), 19 Nov 2008
A good poetic look on Afghan pre-wars (80') society, with a rich and poors, casts and kites. All vanished in the storm of russian invasion and taliban's t