Chirphymium
It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional
Ketrivie
It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.
Aneesa Wardle
The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
Phillipa
Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.
Ruby Liang (ruby_fff)
It was sheer unexpected chance that I caught the last segment of "The Blue Butterfly" one Tueday late afternoon in June on cable Encore channel. It's 'based on a true story.' Quite an encouraging factor. And I was lucky enough to again catch this little known William Hurt movie (a 2004 Canadian-made film) when Encore repeated its showing. What a treat. Tear-jerker, in a way, with the story about this terminally ill young boy determined to pursue the Blue Butterfly with his ideal collaborator - an entomologist he adored and believed in, for the mythical quest of a journey deep into the jungles of Costa Rica! Yes, sounds like a Disney adventure and family drama, as the boy's single-mother also went along to provide moral if not physical support to her son's dying wish, literally.If you try to dissect the film or compare it with other movies, you're doing yourself a disfavor. Just go along with the trio: our young hero Pete in his wheel-chair (well-portrayed with such simple ease by Canada's popular seasoned young actor, Marc Donato), his French-accent attractive Mom who stands by his wishes (she looks familiar - it's Pascale Bussières in w-d Patricia Rozema's "When Night Is Falling" 1995 Canadian production), and the passionate nature man Mr. Osborne, who does care inside though ill-at-ease on the surface with the resolute boy (another William Hurt never-disappoint performance).And what's not to like: location shooting takes you into the rain forest of Costa Rica - it does feel like going through a National Geographics sojourn - remarkable close-ups of insects, fascinating nature captures and lush landscape scenes. Capable cinematography by Pierre Mignot and skillful editing by Michel Archand. Comparable screenplay by Pete McCormack, based on true events, with dramatic elements infused for film-goers' sake. Decent direction by Léa Pool (of "Lost and Delirious" - a controversial subject film which may not be for everyone, with intense performance by 'Coyote Ugly' talented Piper Perabo), who kept the dramatic tones non-sappy, and the adventure segments, the core relationship between the entomologist father-figure and the singularly-minded boy comfortable to follow. The ending notation - which is no spoiler - letting the viewers know what became of the terminally ill young boy, is definitely uplifting and life affirming. Yes, miracles do occur. (I have Lani Hall's song from her 'Sweet Bird' album, 'That's When Miracles Occur' singing in my head. "Love you're giving you must give away" and " Make sure you risk everything" - the lyrics sure ring true in this film.) Unobtrusive music (integral native rhythms, too) by Stephen Endelman, exquisite (nature) sound design by Ivan Sharrock and visual effects supervised by Gunnar Hansen all enhance the film experience."The Blue Butterfly" is a movie worth watching. Glad that Encore encores its showings on cable. It's also available on DVD, which included fascinating bonus features (from 10 to 18 minutes variety): there's interview with the real life 'Pete' - David Marenger, story about young David and the real 'Osborne' - French entomologist Georges Brossard of 'Fondateur Insectarium De Montreal'. See "Mariposa Azul: A True Story" with executive producer Francine Allaire, "The True Inspiration" and "About A Butterfly Garden" with David, and "The Actors' Experience" with Bussières, Donato, Hurt (he explained why he liked the dream sequence idea, and his observations of Georges) on their portrayals and on set anecdotes, including venturous Georges (who showed and told us about the 'big' bugs!), of course.
TxMike
William Hurt is professor Alan Osborne, insect-ologist, who in one presentation had said that the butterfly the Blue Morpho was the most beautiful thing, with almost magical powers.Young Marc Donato plays Pete Carlton who has had surgery to remove a tumor in his skull, but the doctors have declared he has only a few months to live. He happens to be an amateur insect-ologist and a big fan of Alan Osborne's. He takes his comments about the Blue Morpho seriously.Pascale Bussières plays Teresa Carlton, Pete's mother. One day at a dedication ceremony they approach Alan and ask him to help a dying boy fulfill his dream of seeing and catching a Blue Morpho in Central America. Alan doesn't want to bother, and besides there is only one week left in the season for them. But something happens to take Alan to the boy's bedroom, he sees all the insects and posters, and guess where they all end up? Yep, in the jungle hunting the Blue Morpho. Since the boy is weak, Alan carries him on his back in a special 'saddle' they made. The DVD has an interesting extra with the real boy and the real insect-ologist.SPOILERS. In the movie the scientist and the boy never catch a Blue Morpho. In fact, chasing one they fall into a pit, Alan breaks his leg, the boy has to go for help even though he has difficulty walking. But a village girl catches one, gives it to Pete, in a cage, as they leave the jungle. Pete gets better, he does not die. Maybe the Blue Morpho really had magical powers.(PS - I am aware that insect-ologist is not the correct term, it just sounds better!!)
siderite
This is a movie based on a true story, so there is just so much one can do to dramatize it, you must count on acting, and even if William Hurt played well his role of an asocial entomologist, the other actors seemed to be there just for the money. The script also lacked a certain proof of effort, while the beautiful nature scenes seemed to be put in the movie only to make it long enough.In conclusion I could watch it, although I desperately wanted to go to sleep on it, but it disappointed me. I have seen a lot of cancer movies and even if 95% of them were obviously made for the quick buck rather than to help cancer patients, they managed to evoke at least some positive feeling. In this movie, William Hurt is the only slightly likable character and cancer or not, nobody seems to care in the movie either.The movie is a failure, although one cannot expect too much of dramas these days. Average.
awp529
I didn't know what to expect from this movie and the longer I watched it the more enjoyable it became. William Hurt does a wonderful job but Marc Donato steals every scene he is in. Everyone in the cast does an excellent job and bring the film to life. The Canadian director and her crew have certainly established themselves as premier movie makers. There is some very beautiful cinematography in this movie and even if it were not an excellent movie that alone would make it worthwhile The elusive Blue Butterfly becomes a symbol of hope and well as the source of problems. Right to the end of the film the director never leaves you wondering but tells the story and leaves you feeling completely satisfied. The entire family can watch this movie and each person will thoroughly enjoy it.