The Sea Inside (Mar Adentro) (The Sea Within) (2004)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Anthony L

  
  Euthanasia is a tricky subject, not one you can go into lightly. Alejandro Amenábar was a brave man to tackle the story of Ramon Sampedro but I thought he did it respectfully and honestly. I'm yet to see a bad Javier Bardem performance either, he's rapidly becoming one of my… More
  Euthanasia is a tricky subject, not one you can go into lightly. Alejandro Amenábar was a brave man to tackle the story of Ramon Sampedro but I thought he did it respectfully and honestly. I'm yet to see a bad Javier Bardem performance either, he's rapidly becoming one of my all time favourite actors. Agree or disagree with Euthanasia, you can't deny this film raises quite a few important questions - thought provoking and beautiful, a masterful piece of cinema.

• Luke B

  
  A very interesting topic is not served well in this overwrought dull drama. I love films that question morality and humanity. However, I don't want a bunch of people arriving and just discussion their feelings/emotions. If that's the case, a documentary would have been much… More
  A very interesting topic is not served well in this overwrought dull drama. I love films that question morality and humanity. However, I don't want a bunch of people arriving and just discussion their feelings/emotions. If that's the case, a documentary would have been much more fitting. Bardem's performance is a thing of beauty, and the main recipient of the the 2 and a half stars I give it. Obviously, due to his condition, he isn't going to get out and about. In saying that, the most memorable moments are those out of the bedroom. The accident, the imaginary flying, the courtroom scenes etc. In one way it emphasized his desire to die, and how his life was kept in this one room, but it didn't make an interesting film.

• Sophie B

  
  A sad but funny story of a man who wants to die. You understand Ramon and want him to be happy. It's uncomfortable to watch him sometimes as he can't do anything for himself which is down to the brilliant performance from Bardem. At times it was difficult to follow as the… More
  A sad but funny story of a man who wants to die. You understand Ramon and want him to be happy. It's uncomfortable to watch him sometimes as he can't do anything for himself which is down to the brilliant performance from Bardem. At times it was difficult to follow as the Spanish speak so fast but it was enjoyable to watch. Although the ending is sad, you feel a weird sort of happiness knowing that Ramon got what he wanted. It really shows how laws need to be changed to help those who are of sane mind who want to die.

• Fernando Rafael Q

  
  Mar Adentro is a beautifully shot and scored drama; its intensity matched with simple European charm. Now that I mention drama, Ramón Sampedro's existence after an unfortunate diving accident is as hard a life as it gets, but the film's treatment of his condition is at times… More
  Mar Adentro is a beautifully shot and scored drama; its intensity matched with simple European charm. Now that I mention drama, Ramón Sampedro's existence after an unfortunate diving accident is as hard a life as it gets, but the film's treatment of his condition is at times overly melodramatic. As quadriplegic Sampedro, Javier Bardem gives a towering performance and is supported by an outstanding female cast (Lola Dueñas, Belén Rueda, Mabel Rivera and Clara Segura). Ultimately, what could've been a poignant observation on life and death is bogged down by the unconvincingness of it all, the underdevelopment of every character (except Ramón) and the marathonic length.

• Randy T

  
  Javier Bardem brought tears to my eyes (for all the right reasons). A respectful and dignified eulogy to the late, great Ramón Sampedro.

• Drew S

  
  I expected so much more from Alejandro Amenabar. This is weepy, overscored, hand-wringing disability porn. As movies of this nature generally do, there's an appeal to basic human sentiment that should cling to you if you have any sort of heart, the likes of which are communicated… More
  I expected so much more from Alejandro Amenabar. This is weepy, overscored, hand-wringing disability porn. As movies of this nature generally do, there's an appeal to basic human sentiment that should cling to you if you have any sort of heart, the likes of which are communicated by performance and interpretation. The performances are great, which is why the movie isn't a total flop. Sadly, the rest of this movie adheres maddeningly to formula, right down to dialogue beats and musical cues. Its intelligent subject matter is handled in an easily digestible way, complete with (totally inappropriate) romantic subplots, ~clashes of interest~ to spell out the issue more carefully for viewers, and a complete and total sanitization of its main character. There's no doubt in my mind that Ramon Sampedro was a good and intelligent man, but the figure we see in this film is a saint and a martyr, not a person. The Sea Inside moves in constant service of both him and his political ideology, which makes this feel like much more of a message movie than it should be. Calling for radical change while depicting a saint-like figure in support of this change renders this nothing more than punditry; essentially, it's like the legal case that Sampedro's lawyer is trying to put together, a story designed to tug as many heartstrings as possible to get its way. The movie is free to choose a side, obviously, but everyone opposing its edict is painted as an asshole, an ignoramus, or usually both. There's no doubt in my mind that The Sea Inside will affect a lot of people, but you can basically see Amenabar pulling the strings. This is a compelling tale stirred into a flabby, cookie-cutter narrative, leaving no questions unanswered and no room for thought in its audience by closing.

• Bruce B

  
  One outstanding movie, Its about man who suffers a spinal injury and for 28 years he is bed ridden and can't move anything but his head. A true story, the acting is outstanding, I am sure that one day it will be added to the Criterion Collection. Its in Spanish with English… More
  One outstanding movie, Its about man who suffers a spinal injury and for 28 years he is bed ridden and can't move anything but his head. A true story, the acting is outstanding, I am sure that one day it will be added to the Criterion Collection. Its in Spanish with English subtitles, they roll by fast so you have to devote your full attention to this movie, but its worth it, A rental for me, will not go in the collection only because of the subtitles.

• Lady D

  
  Some will find the topic in question a little depressing, even perhaps a little morbid, but it's dealt with very realistically and of course is a much debated issue. Really good acting throughout, particularly of course by Javier Bardem.

• Tim S

  
  Good flick with another great performance by Javier Bardem. I felt it got a little too preachy at the end, but I was really impressed with the way the film was made. I cringe every time I think about the shallow diving scene that is at the center of this film.

• Christopher M

  
  The Sea Inside is the real-life story of Ramón Sampedro, a tetraplegic in Spain who, after living with his condition for 30 years, attempts to fight for his right to end his life with the help of some others. This was Javier Bardem's break-out role. Now he is internationally… More
  The Sea Inside is the real-life story of Ramón Sampedro, a tetraplegic in Spain who, after living with his condition for 30 years, attempts to fight for his right to end his life with the help of some others. This was Javier Bardem's break-out role. Now he is internationally recognized and an Oscar winner, but this is really where first began to get noticed. And it's no wonder - Bardem's mastery of the lead role is indicative of the type of brilliance he would later bring to No Country For Old Men. The film is largely about the relationships he forms from his bed with several women, also his relationship with his family who has cared for him for 30 years, and coming to terms with the injury and before. That was the only odd thing I found about the film, that we only see merely a glimpse of the character's life before his injury. But I can see why this is done; after all, Ramon's life, as it was, began again after he fell. The direction and cinematography is typical of a Spanish film in that it is creative and stylistically. But this I have to expect from director Alejandro Amenábar - who displayed just as much stylistic flair in 1997's Open Your Eyes. The cast is great all around but the film really centers on Bardem, and this is a great chance to see some of his earlier work, so do it!

• Jens S

  
  A very sad, moving and thought provoking movie about the right to end your own life with dignity. While not everyone might agree with the statement of the movie, especially considering the main character does still have very precious aspects to his life, it still manages to convince… More
  A very sad, moving and thought provoking movie about the right to end your own life with dignity. While not everyone might agree with the statement of the movie, especially considering the main character does still have very precious aspects to his life, it still manages to convince with a couple of very touching scenes. Javier Barden's outstanding performance along with the good cast is a huge part of its credibility, the really nice soundtrack and the subtle direction are helping, too. Definitely worth watching.

• Gordon A

  
  Moving and dignified account of one man's fight to decide his fate.

• Walter M

  
  [font=Century Gothic]Based on a true story, "The Sea Inside" is about Ramon Sampedro(Javier Bardem) who has been a quadriplegic for the past twenty-six years after he broke his neck in a diving accident. He now wants to die with dignity(or in his words, he wants the death… More
  [font=Century Gothic]Based on a true story, "The Sea Inside" is about Ramon Sampedro(Javier Bardem) who has been a quadriplegic for the past twenty-six years after he broke his neck in a diving accident. He now wants to die with dignity(or in his words, he wants the death he was cheated of back then) but needs help.(In a fine job of tightrope walking, Ramon argues that he is not speaking for all quadriplegics, just himself.) He does not want to get any loved ones in trouble with the law, so he has contacted an organization to help him and they have put him in touch with an attorney, Julia(Belen Rueda). Julia has a disability of her own...[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"The Sea Inside" is an intelligent movie that is emotional without being mawkish. There is also a minimum of grandstanding. I especially liked how it visualizes Ramon's inner life and his yearning to return to the sea where he once called his home. The movie's main flaw is its awkward handling of a central character. But Javier Bardem gives an amazing performance.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"The Sea Inside" argues for a person to be able to control their own destiny. I do not agree with Ramon's decision but I respect it which is the entire point of the movie.[/font]

• Nicolas K

  
  What an actor Javier is! what a powerful film!

• Remi L

  
  Very moving

• Chris M

  
  A beautiful film, a beautifully told story and some stunning cinematography.

• Daisy M

  
  Based on the profundly moving true story that captured the worlds attention about Euthanasy. Sea inside is a true story about Ramon Sampedro, who fought a 30 year campaign to win the right to end his life with dignity. well, after watching this movie, I cant rate it 10 stars, cuz… More
  Based on the profundly moving true story that captured the worlds attention about Euthanasy. Sea inside is a true story about Ramon Sampedro, who fought a 30 year campaign to win the right to end his life with dignity. well, after watching this movie, I cant rate it 10 stars, cuz Flixster rating goes till 5. Otherwise I could have rate it 10. This is a movie that when you see it, you realize how lucky you are and how happy you should be and how thankful you must be for the live you have now. If you see the life tht Ramon has lived during all those years, than you will realise, that Euthansy is a topic to discuss. But peoples life is something tht you as owner of your life can decide of it. I think Euthanasy is for some people a taboo and for some a easy way out. But its personally. And I have not the right to judge about that. The movie is so deeply emotional, drama fans who can afford such a profound commotion then I recommend you to watch it. The movie is a perfect movie based on a true story, was worhty to win the academy award for best foreigner movie in 2004. Well I have to say see this movie, its worthy, I will watch it one more time and I will buy it for my collection. No doubt about it. I have to say it again, thanks Hun, for one more of your best recommendations, what will I do without you? Watch bad movies I guess, Thanks.

• Ina S

  
  Very moving, very intense film. Javier Bardem is fantastic and the subtle, beautiful direction makes this intensely engaging and thought-provoking. Yet some of the minor characters remain one-dimensional, which is the only flaw in this great movie.

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