Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 12/14/04 Home Video 5/17/05 MPAA Rating Rated PG13 for intense depiction of mature thematic material Running Time 2 hours 5 minutes Genre Drama Directed by Alejandro Amenabar Cast Javier Bardem, Belen Rueda, Lola Duenas, Mabel Rivera, Celso Bugallo, Clara Segura, Tamar Novas, Francesco Garrido, Joan Dalmau, Jose Maria Pou Studio Fine Line Features |
THE SEA INSIDE
Ramon Stampedro (Javier Bardem) simply wants to
die, but the Spanish justice system won't allow it.
Completely paralyzed, he spends his days and
nights imprisoned in his own body. Once an active,
Galician fisherman, he must resolve himself to an
existence of total dependency on others for his
most basic needs. And he despises it. Twenty-
seven years have passed since the accident that left
him paralyzed, and still he must battle the courts for
what he considers his right, death.
Three women play the most important roles in
Ramon’s life. His lawyer, Julia (Belen Rueda), fights
for his right to die with dignity, Rosa (Lola Duenas), a
young neighbor who tries to show him what he has
to live for, and Manuela (Mabel Rivera), his ever-
caring sister-in-law who attends to him, all fall under
the spell of Ramon. And through their relationships
with him, all their lives are enriched in some manner.
Ramon’s tale is true. Director Alejandro Amenabar
does an excellent job of telling the story of a brave,
charismatic man who felt that he had the right to
determine when his life should end, not the
government. Writing credit also goes to Alejandro
Amenabar in conjunction with Mateo Gil.
The film is in Spanish, and fully subtitled in English.
die, but the Spanish justice system won't allow it.
Completely paralyzed, he spends his days and
nights imprisoned in his own body. Once an active,
Galician fisherman, he must resolve himself to an
existence of total dependency on others for his
most basic needs. And he despises it. Twenty-
seven years have passed since the accident that left
him paralyzed, and still he must battle the courts for
what he considers his right, death.
Three women play the most important roles in
Ramon’s life. His lawyer, Julia (Belen Rueda), fights
for his right to die with dignity, Rosa (Lola Duenas), a
young neighbor who tries to show him what he has
to live for, and Manuela (Mabel Rivera), his ever-
caring sister-in-law who attends to him, all fall under
the spell of Ramon. And through their relationships
with him, all their lives are enriched in some manner.
Ramon’s tale is true. Director Alejandro Amenabar
does an excellent job of telling the story of a brave,
charismatic man who felt that he had the right to
determine when his life should end, not the
government. Writing credit also goes to Alejandro
Amenabar in conjunction with Mateo Gil.
The film is in Spanish, and fully subtitled in English.
Mary's comments
A profound examination of one man's
struggle for the ultimate control of his fate.
No whitewashing of the topic of euthanasia
here. Beautifully filmed to catch the mood
of the film. Not a light bit of entertainment,
rather a heavy slice of life.
A profound examination of one man's
struggle for the ultimate control of his fate.
No whitewashing of the topic of euthanasia
here. Beautifully filmed to catch the mood
of the film. Not a light bit of entertainment,
rather a heavy slice of life.
Brenda's comments
A drama that is bound to make you think about
yourself in such a situation. Javier Bardem is
wonderfully compelling as Ramon Stampedro,
the man who wants to die. All of the supporting
cast is well cast and highlight the peaks and
valleys of Ramon’s existence. But the portrayal
of resolve is the most lasting impression.
A drama that is bound to make you think about
yourself in such a situation. Javier Bardem is
wonderfully compelling as Ramon Stampedro,
the man who wants to die. All of the supporting
cast is well cast and highlight the peaks and
valleys of Ramon’s existence. But the portrayal
of resolve is the most lasting impression.
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY
Brenda S. Ladd & Mary K. Morgan
Brenda S. Ladd & Mary K. Morgan
DVD Details
Disc Specs
Languages: English
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Running Time: 2 hrs. 5 mins.
Number of Discs: 1
Features:
· Commentary from
writer-director Alejandro
Amenábar
· Deleted scenes
· Behind the scenes
documentary