The Sea Inside

            This is a very depressing and strange story about a man’s 30 year pursuit of the right for him to be euthanized. A Quadripalegic after a horrible swimming accident in Spain, he spends years appealing to courts, fighting legal battles, dealing with firey ministers and church officials, and being deprived of the life he feels entitled to. In the process he falls in love with and breaks the hearts of two women.

            It’s interesting because it was recommended to me as a “neutral” examination of the euthanasia issue, but it is unmistakably pro-euthanasia and villainizes anyone who opposes the position. It is told through the parapalegic’s eyes. Which is actually very well done. The storytelling uses some very critical and fascinating techniques to draw us into a very challenging point of view to paint.

            It’s very sad, and doesn’t seem to grasp the necessary of redemption, though in very strange ways, redemption is turned on it’s ear and used against the characters. I thought this was a good concept for a movie, and the performances were definitely good, but it just felt like something was missing. This movie had no soul. Against my better judgement, I’m going to give this movie a 1.

            It wasn’t that it was bad…exactly, but, it’s just not a movie I would recommend to anyone, and not because of content or character…it just had no spark, no impetous to go on watching. I never cared about this movie, and it never asked for my mind.