classicsoncall
Ramon's flashback diving scene which caused his injury brought back a tense memory for this viewer. As a teenager, I dove head first into a shallow pool and smacked my chin on the concrete bottom. It was the first and only time I ever saw stars, which I can attest is a very real thing. It was also very scary, because at that moment, I realized I could have permanently injured myself or even died, as there was no one else around to save me if the event were of a more serious nature. It also taught me how fragile life can be, for in an instant, as in Ramon's case, one's entire humanity can be turned upside down or made even worse. I haven't thought about that incident in a long time, but the movie brought it all back in searing detail.No matter what side you fall on regarding assisted suicide, this movie will give you pause and food for thought. The arguments offered by opposing ideologies are thought provoking and compelling. My own view is that a rational person has the right to make such a momentous, though final decision. I stress the word rational in that comment. I never thought about the issue brought up by Ramon's courtroom attorney arguing his position, that of an unsuccessful person attempting to take their own life. That person is never brought up on charges, but if suicide is the equivalent to murder, why would that not be the case? But then, in finding one guilty, what would the penalty be? Can a person be executed for trying to kill himself? The whole idea sounds kind of ludicrous, but I wonder what would happen if the justice system ever attempted to hear such a case.In any event, this was a well written and provocative story with Javier Bardem giving an excellent portrayal of the bed ridden Ramon Sampedro. His personal and family relationships are handled with compassion and integrity, and I found it inspiring that even in his condition, Ramon managed to make two women fall in love with him. That the film was based on a true story makes it even more compelling, even life affirming in a strangely ironic way.
FreakRenegade
I always try to to be objective when I watch a movie, regardless of my point of view and what I believe. This film deals with an important topic, delicate, in my humble opinion with great delicacy, and objectivity, without falling into banality or in rhetoric.. Javier B. gives a remarkable performance, touching, funny, fickle, difficult to play a role as her, to be honest. Heartbreaking letter to his son, I have the words that he uses to explain the pain he feels in not being able to move. The director goes on all fronts: the writer friend who change your mind, where fear makes it so human, although to be so contrary equal to him, Rose loves without asking anything in return, because it is this love, the brother in order not to lose it comes to trying to hate him, and father torn by grief that he could not do anything .... You stop to think about "I, what would I do?" I think it's an answer that you can not ever give ... .. The movie I liked a lot, I cried If you can watch it, leaving aside personal opinions, you will not regret and a good movie.Sorry for Bad English
SnoopyStyle
Ramón Sampedro (Javier Bardem) became a quadriplegic and ends up battling for the right to die in Spain for 30 years. Julia (Belén Rueda) is a lawyer who helps him in this fight and they fall in love. He befriends Rosa (Lola Dueñas) with her kids. She wants him to live.It's a biopic from director Alejandro Amenábar. I love the scenes where Ramón argue with Padre Francisco. Those scenes are electric. It's a movie that needs the conflicts. Javier Bardem is stationary most of the time and it's harder to generate physical energy. He does do some imaginary sequences where he gets up and even flies. They don't really excite me as much. This movie reminds me very much of "Whose Life Is It Anyway?" I wish there are more anger and more conflicts in the movie.
dangabriel
Six years ago I watched this film. It is still fresh in my mind, as if I had watched it last night. Movies don't get more impressive. It is so far the best drama I have seen (out of more than 5000 movies, one a day ) I watched over the last 10 years. Nec plus ultra, and it supports my opinion that Spain produces the best cinematography of all countries lately. The story -inspired from reality-is scripted to emotional perfection. Dialogues are exacting, gripping, powerful. There is not a dull moment, as the tension is so strong that even the beautiful landscapes, the flashbacks of Ramon (J. Bardem) the music filled intervals, never detract from the harrowing story.It is not sad, it is not happy, it is not right not wrong, not legal not illegal. For whichever view one may take on the issue, there is a contrarian view of equal power beautifully suggested in the story. Indifference is what you will not feel. The Jesuit priest scene is only one instance of critique of the simplistic opinions and hypocrisy in the bourgeois society.Amenabar has put together this masterpiece with a superb script and crystalline photography, precise cast and evocative music (some by himself). Justly awarded for this movie, he has carved a solid name for himself in cinema.Javier Bardem gives probably the best performance of his career (though I really hope he is able of even more in the future). European Film Awards granted him aptly the Best Actor prize that year. For a movie about the very lack of mobility, with most scenes in a room with a bed and little more, for a character that moves eyes and eyebrows, Bardem is a wonder in the acting guild. Another noted performance of Bardem would be his deliciously versatile act in "Before Night Falls" The supporting actors deliver strong scenes, especially Belen Rueda (Julia). Some review this film as being a debate on an issue. It is, but also far more than that. It is the essence of humanity, makes you think, makes you cry. And -as tested on myself- after many years and thousands of films I have watched after it, it remains the most powerful. This movie unleashes the force of life. I cannot think of a more memorable experience in cinema.
AD
