“The Sea Inside,” with an inspiring award-contender performance by Javier Bardem as man paralyzed from the neck down as a result of an injury suffered as a young man, deals with the right to die and is based on the true story of Ramón Sampedro, who took his own life in 1998 after a failed campaign to get the legal right to do so. He managed to get some 11 helpers to provide the necessary means without leaving a trail implicating anyone, and the prosecution of the last person to see him alive did not succeed for lack of evidence.

The film is deeply moving both for its treatment of the controversy and the very human portrait of Ramón and those around him. Quite surprisingly, in view of the somber subject, “The Sea Inside” has an uplifting quality. Even though Ramón’s victory must be his death, the character is so bracing, warm and intelligent that he leaves a memorable portrait.

Fine supporting performances also add to the impact. Characters portrayed include Julia (Belén Rueda), a lawyer and advocate for the right to die, herself suddenly faced with her own crisis; Rosa (Lola Dueñas), who becomes attached to Ramón and wants him to live, and his sister-in-law Manuela (Mabel Rivera), who exhibits sensitivity and understanding His older brother José (Celso Bugallo) has sacrificed everything to help look after Ramón and feels that his death would be a betrayal of the life-long devotion. A developing mentor relationship between Ramón and his nephew Javi (Tamar Novas) enables Ramón to pass along insights about life.

There is a moment when Ramón allows himself an imaginary flight of fancy in which he gets out of bed and soars through the window and over the countryside. It is an exquisite expression of longing.