PERFORMANCE NOTES: The Film The Sea Inside Certificate PG General Release
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Overview
Alejandro Amenabar, whose previous works have included Open Your Eyes and The Others, directs this story of life and death as a quadriplegic. Javier Bardem plays the part of the real-life merchant seaman Ramon Sampedro, who, after being paralysed in a diving accident, campaigned vigorously for the right to end his own life.
Our View
"Amenabar's approach to his subject is lyrical rather than realistic... The film is not without its flaws... The script never lets us doubt that self-determination will win the day. Bardem's performance, however, is a small miracle of expressiveness, and seems to contain the regret of a lifetime in his sad smile." Anthony Quinn
Critical View
"Javier Bardem gives one of the year's best performances in The Sea Inside... The talented young director even manages to make his film optimistic rather than depressing." Daily Mail
"The Sea Inside is no masterpiece, but - thank goodness - it's no Ron Howard movie either. Always intelligent, rarely sentimental, and confirming Bardem's status as one of the most compelling actors in world cinema today, it stands a very good chance of picking up a gong at [the Oscars]." The Daily Telegraph
"[Amenabar's] film is an extraordinarily shallow euthanasia weepie... A nice performance from Bardem cannot offer much compensation." The Guardian
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments