keninabu!

The Sea Inside

Last night, I finally finished watching Amenabar's Mar Adentro. It is the real life story about a Spanish man Ramon Sampedro who fights for the choice to end his life, only that he is not able to do it himself since he is a quadripelgic and he needs someone else's help to do so.

The movie is beautifully shot (parts of it was shot in Galicia, the area north of Portugal, and the landscape is amazingly beautiful), and very thought-provoking. In particular, the acting is just amazing, especially by the lead actor, Javier Bardem, who plays the lead role of Ramon. Mr. Bardem was completely convincing as a bed-ridden quadripelgic imprisoned by his body, but with all his charisma and dynamism coming through. For his role, Mr. Bardem actually went to a hospital in Toledo on a daily basis, to practice his posture, mannerisms, and to perfect how it would be like to be like Mr. Sampedro. In the specials section, they actually showed a recording of Mr. Sampedro speaking EXACTLY one of the lines in the movie, and Mr. Bardem is to be complimented for his incredible acting.

Some parts of the movie were a bit retarded, like the love story between Ramon and Julia his lawyer, but apparently in real life, Ramon Sampedro had more than one love affair. He had such charisma and charm that women fell for him.

Goes to show that there is more to love than mere skin.

posted by keninabu @ 9:18 AM