Mar adentro (2004)

	Also Known As: Mourir pour vivre, The sea inside
	Year of first release: 2004
	Director: Alejandro Amenábar
	Actors: Javier Bardem, Belén Rueda, Lola Duenas, Celso Bugallo
	Country: E, F, I
	Genre: Drama
	Conditions of visioning: 14.06.2015, DVD, Original Spanish/Gallegan version with Spanish subtitles
Synopsis: Ramón Sampedro (Bardem) fought a 30-year campaign to win the right to end his life with dignity. Julia (Belén), a lawyer, supports his cause, and Rosa (Duenas), a local woman wants to convince him that life is worth living. Through the gift of his love, his friendship and his humour these two women are inspired to accomplish things they never previously thought possible. Despite his wish to die, Ramón taught them he encountered the meaning, value and preciousness of life. Though he could not move himself, he had an uncanny ability to move others.
Review: The story is based on true events. That is why it may appear so quiet. But it is in fact very moving. Rather the people surrounding Ramón than Ramón himself. This I guess because he just tells his story relatively straight and emotionless but also deep and meaningful. Then many people are moved and explain why, show how, and this builds again an emotional relation to the characters, to their fears, to their love.  This brings the question of euthanasy on the table, and not necessarily for the right to kill people that cannot be saved but for the right for the patient to choose as if he was still able to commit suicide. It says a lot about the beauty of mutual respect of one person to another. The acting is good and from my point of view specially Celso Bugallo. He is very authentic. The rough guy from the country side, loving his brother, respecting his faith and his goal, and truly struggling for his brother sometimes even against his. The directing is interesting as some events are announced subtly and slowly, as we touch the core of the Ramón's suffering with the long and nice flight from the bedroom to the beach. The scenery in Galicia is beautiful even if rather cloudy and cold.  The DVD proposed also some sketches from the story-board where the different sceneries are presented, very precisely, colourful and already close to the reality of the movie.
Rating: 7 /10