The Sea Inside
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Movie Reviews of The Sea Inside
Movie Review: The Poetry of Life
Summary: 5 Stars
Controversial issues can be approached humanely and aesthetic ways. The SEA INSIDE is one particular film that accomplishes the daunting task of confronting euthanasia without overly politicizing the issue, but rather observing the beauty of life. In this case, the real life of Ramon Sam Pedro (Javier Bardem) who became a quadriplegic after diving into an undertow in 1968. For 26 years he struggled to live, but constantly contemplated death and the right to die with dignity. This is the story of his 30-year struggle.
The SEA INSIDE revolves around the people who have had to take care of Ramon as well as those who want to fulfill his wishes. The movie is a circle of conflict between his family who refuse to accept Ramon's desire to die, older brother, Jose (Celso Buello), sister-in-law, Manuela (Mabel Riviera), nephew, Javi (Tomar Novas), and an admirer, Rosa (Lola Duenas), and the people who want to prove his case to the government for the right to die, his lawyer, Julia (Belen Rueda), and activist-friend, Gene (Clara Segura). In this midst of conflicting views, Ramon harbors intimate relationships with Julia and Rosa in quite unique ways. While interviewing Ramon, Julia takes a liking towards him despite that fact that she is married to German (Alberto Jimenzes), a friendship develops, but is only disrupted when she too suffers a debilitating state. She contemplates death as well. Ramon also befriends Rosa, a single mother of two young boys, who happens to become mesmerized with him after seeing him on television, but her relationship is almost fatherly or brotherly like.
There are only little inklings of religious and political tones in the film, the courtroom scene, and the extremely funny segment where a quadriplegic priest visits Ramon. But the film speaks loudly towards what Ramon's plight, not to be a burden to the people who have to take care of him, and the means it will take to achieve his ultimate goal - to have the one who really loves him who will carry out his wish.
Director Alejandro Amenabar did a beautiful job at portraying Ramon's life. The most exquisite scenes are the dream and flashbacks scenes, which Amenabar recreates from real life images of the real Ramon and his poetic renderings that were published shortly before his death. In addition, the seascape is the highlight of the film as well as the narrative. The DVD has interesting commentary by Amenabar that accompanies scenes of the film as well as the actual making of the film and screenplay by Amenabar and Mateo Gil.
The SEA INSIDE is a thought provoking film that questions mortality. The film is highly recommendable because it does not squander in the dark aspect of Ramon Sampedro's life, but rather celebrates it.
Movie Review: Something Thought-Provoking About His 'Right To Die'
Summary: 5 Stars
Alejandro Amenábar's new film is based on the real life of Ramón Sampedro, whose body had been long paralysed from the neck down because of the accident he had jumping into the sea in 1968, 25 year old. I didn't know anything about him, but in Spain, I hear, he is very famous and the characters in this film also have the models.
Considering these facts, it is amazing that 35-year-old Javier Bardem plays so convincingly the role of Ramón who was in fact more than 50 years old at the time when the film describes. Amenábar's film quietly follows the last days of his life, including the budding relationship with women surrounding him (including Julia, also terminally-ill, and Rosa, devorced), the family members (showing mixed emotional reactions to his final decision), and the legal matters.
[MORAL QUESTIONS] Now, here is a tough question about the moral issues dealt here. Some professional reviewers argue, understandably to some extent, that the film is trying to manipulate the audiences, and shows the simplified views on the topic called euthanasia, or life and death. I disagree. For one thing, this is a fact-based film about the real person who really thought that his decision is the best one for him, so why not respect that? It is true that 'The Sea Inside' keeps on stressing the belief of Ramón Sampedro. Probably, his view is not yours (and not shared by many of the characters). If the film manipulates (as good films always do), that's because you have to see things through his eyes, to understand his life, 'life as obligation' as he describes.
The acting is unanimously great, so it is pointless to name the names one by one. I only point out that though Bardem was once Oscar-nominated for 'Before Night Falls,' it is this film that proves his enormous talent as great actor. You see no 'sexy' or 'macho' image here. Just the character.
In the end Ramón gets what he wants, and the descriptions of the video message recording (which really happened, and the tape was seen by many people in Spain) are very painfully realistic. However, at the same time, Ramón remains very attractive throughout the film because of his personality, and in fact, according to the film, more than one women visit him repeatedly. You only find the subtle treatment of the material if you look close enough at the characters. In this way, 'The Sea Inside' poses many intriguing questions about his life, or life in general.
Movie Review: "I understand Ramon quite well"
Summary: 5 Stars
Presenting a topic as controversial as the one touched upon in this movie is not an easy task, but director Alejandro Amenabar has succeeded in achieving a balanced and humane approach at the issue of the right to die with dignity. In my opinion, the director could not have done this without the magnificent performance of Javier Bardem, who transmits the feelings and opinions of Ramon Sampedro with such conviction and clarity that one cannot help but feel touched by the story and the issue at hand.
Ramon is a quadriplegic that wants to die because he claims that living this way has no dignity. He has been prostrated in his bed for the last twenty-six years of his life after hitting the bottom of the sea and breaking his neck. The issue is not a simple one, because Ramon has a loving family and his mind works perfectly, so a lot of people in that situation, me included, would probably hold on to life. But the distinction is relevant here, since Ramon does not argue that everyone in his situation should die or desire to do so, but rather that he wants to do it, and should be allowed to. Basically, he wants to decide how to live and how to die without other people's opinions being a factor.
In order to achieve his wishes, Ramon is consulting with a lawyer (Julia) to get approval from the courts. But Ramon has to battle other people beside the courts, like his brother, who cannot comprehend why Ramon is insisting on dying. As the process towards the trial begins, Ramon becomes news on TV. That is how Rosa, a local neighbor, finds out about him and decides to try to infuse him with a desire to live. Ramon's relationship with Julia and with Rosa is a central part of this movie and helps understand better his wishes and how difficult his decision is.
This is a highly emotional movie that touches on complex issues and uses powerful statements on both sides, so there are no easy answers. In my case, one of the statements that left me thinking for the longest time was when Ramon said "The person who actually loves me will be precisely the one who helps me die". But I guess that different people will react in different ways and reach different conclusions, the important point is that the film will make you think and consider both sides of the argument. Now you just need to get ready for an emotional upheaval and plunge into the sea with the wonderful Javier Bardem.
Movie Review: Great film.
Summary: 5 Stars
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film of 2004, The Sea Inside is a fact-based story of Ramón Sampedro, a quadriplegic man who petitions the Spanish government for his right to die. Without the use of his body for 27 years, Sampedro desires above all else the right to be euthanized. His story is taken on by an association that goes by the name of "Die with Dignity" which is how he has a voice in court.
The story begins as a lawyer comes to Ramón to learn his story. She has taken the case pro bono to get his wish to die granted by the courts. This is the first person we see him encounter that tries to understand him; she is not the last.
Through these meetings we see how truly remarkeable Sampedro really is. We see the devices he has invented to assist him in his situation. We see the poetry his heart has poured out over the years. We are party to conversations in which he explains life and freedom of choice, he talks of a future he hopes not to have. Every person he communicates with is so deeply moved by him; it is humbling to see the effect one man may have on others.
Director Alejandro Amenábar (Open Your Eyes, The Others) brings to life this story of a man enslaved to his body. The movie is set in the house Ramón refuses to leave, though we see incredible landscape shots and are taken on an amazing ride as Sampedro jumps out of his two story window and flies all the way to the beach. Through his eyes we see how he lingers over the blue-green water. To this former sailor, the sea represents that which gave him life and ultimately took it away.
The only thing worse than your son dying before you...is him wanting to. -Joaquín Sampedro (Ramón's father)
This was an absolutely beautiful movie. Try as I may to exercise my vocabulary, I keep ending up with the word "beautiful" to describe The Sea Inside. This heart wrenching tale offers various perspectives on both life and death. If you have ever taken the time to consider either, and even if you have not, this movie will be special to you. And I will warn you that there are a few times in the movie when not crying seems unthinkable. I cannot help the feeling that in seeing this movie in the theater last night I was a part of something important. I look forward to the DVD release on May 17, 2005.
Movie Review: An Outstanding Film that treats the issue with dignity
Summary: 5 Stars
Having just seen this marvelous Spanish film (in Phoenixville, of all places, home of The Blob), I am entirely moved by the passionate sympathy brought to all sides of the euthanasia issue by this extraordinary writer and director. I'm completely unfamiliar with anything else he has filmed, but shall pursue his films more arduously based on how wonderful is this one.
In the heat of the Terry Schiavo fury surrounding that poor soul and her family and her husband, this film is certainly topical, but it would resonate even if the Bush Fascists weren't trying to ramrod their putsch down the throats of one and all.
This is the story of a man who has become quadripelegic as a result of a swimming accident, and now in his middle age would like to end his life. He has been a burden to his family, though they fulfill their care for him with great love and devotion. He is a source of hope for a lonely woman, and then falls in love with the lawyer who seeks his judicial approval. All of the emotions you could possibly summon are on display here through the dynamics of the various relationships. There is a sanctimonious priest who initially comes off as absurd, but then quite comically reaches a sympatico with the protagonist, not that he endorses the request for euthanasia, just the two men come to understand each other without any malice. What a concept, eh, all in its own right....
The older brother can not agree with his younger brother's decision because in his heart and soul he is convinced that for all that he gave up, he'd continue to do it to care for his brother because it is the right thing to do. The protagonist wants someone to love him just enough to release him from his bonds.
The music is enchanting and haunting, with the plaintive gaita of Suzanne Seivanne and Carlos Nunez on the score. The scenery of Galicia, the Celtic part of northwestern Spain, is beautiful. The acting is sublime. You will talk about this movie a lot. Its even handed treatment of the moralities involved is unblinking and compassionate and so this is a film to watch with your family, well, maybe not the kids, but anyone with whom you will be making decisions about yours or their care as Bush strips away the safety net for all Americans under a certain income level.