julian schnabel's le scaphandre et le papillon.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly was adapted from a novel of the same name.  The story behind the novel is that the author (and consequently the main character in the film) is completely paralyzed except for the blinking of one of his eyes.  He was able to translate based on blinking to someone who would write down his thoughts.

The acting and story were poignant in a way that seems like only foreign films are able to be.  The imagery and colors of the film only lend themselves to an even stronger film.  The film really puts you in the position of the main character, Jean-Dominique Bauby.  The camera technique is a really interesting contrast between The Wrestler and The Diving Bell.  Both have similar tones, but one stays at a distance while the other must take you into the world as a first person POV in order to connect you to that person.  Both great films to watch and learn from.

Take the time to see the beauty in silence.