11/23/2008

The Sea Inside (2004)

Mar adentro

"A life
without freedom
is not a life."
Based on the story of Ramón Sampedro (Javier Bardem), a quadriplegic Spaniard, and his true life 20-year battle for his right to euthanasia. His lawyer, Julia (Belén Rueda), has a degenerative disease herself and great empathy for Sampedro, but Rosa (Lola Dueñas), an abused woman, tries hard to teach both Sampedro and Julia that all life is worth living.

A powerful and touching film that makes us all think about life and death.

Also appearing are Mabel Ribera as Sanpedro's sister-in-law and primary caretaker; Tamar Novas as his beloved nephew; Celso Bugallo and Joan Dalman as his brother and father who are opposed to his wishes; Clara Segura as a woman who advocates freedom of choice to die; and Jose Maria Pou as a quadrapalegic priest who tries to convince Sanpedro to live.

Directed by Alejandro Amenábar, who also co-wrote the screenplay.

This film won the 2005 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film plus 59 other awards around the world.

Subtitles.

Run time: 2 hours, 5 minutes

Rated PG-13 for intense depiction of mature thematic material.

My personal rating: A-

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