Fast Forward

Tonight, the local picture palace was packed for a preview screening of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, care of Matt's Movies, a subscriber-supported group from Santa Monica's KCRW 89.9FM.

The film is based on the memoir of French Elle magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who was paralyzed at 42. Filmmaker Julian Schnabel, who won for his directing this year at Cannes (and before, with Before Night Falls), moves you within Bauby's constraints. With the help of Janusz Kaminski ("Spielberg's DP"), focus goes in and out, the perspective is limited, but the humanity is left to embrace: his memory and imagination are still free. It's a noble purpose, that go with you after the credits rise.

The movie opens in select theaters Friday.

Poster by Indika.