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The Butterfly

Play trailer Poster for The Butterfly Released Dec 19, 2003 1h 20m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
80% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
A young French girl, Elsa (Claire Bouanich), is often left on her own due to the work schedule of her single mother, Isabelle (Nade Dieu). After Elsa ends up spending time with Julien (Michel Serrault), a surly old butterfly collector, the two set out on a journey through the countryside. Intent on finding a particularly short-lived butterfly, Julien and Elsa form an unlikely friendship on their rural trek, but trouble arises when her mom becomes concerned as to her whereabouts.

Critics Reviews

View All (20) Critics Reviews
Walter V. Addiego San Francisco Chronicle The film has a sweetness that stops short of sentimentality. Rated: 3/4 Jun 4, 2004 Full Review Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times An exceptionally satisfying film of much grace and beauty. Rated: 4.5/5 Mar 18, 2004 Full Review Elizabeth Weitzman New York Daily News Depending on your perspective, this French family drama will either feel sweetly sentimental or shamelessly manipulative. Rated: 2.5/4 Jan 2, 2004 Full Review Keith H. Brown Eye for Film Rated: 3/5 Dec 7, 2007 Full Review Reel.com Rated: 2.5/4 Sep 24, 2004 Full Review Jules Brenner Cinema Signals Rated: 3/4 Sep 22, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (111) audience reviews
Audience Member The story is engaging and creative, and the feeling is goodness. The two principals are wonderful. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie is good for all ages. Guys will also like it because although it is a sensitive film, it is not a tear-jerker or a "chick flick"- it's just a nice film written about real people. Hollywood would greatly benefit by learning from this movie's example. Very thankful that run into the movie using boxxy software. By the way, DON'T turn off the film when the final credits start to roll. Watch and listen - it's an adorable way to end a wonderful film. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review kyle v Reviewed 6.3.18 With a touch as light as it's eponymous star, it flails around prettily, but lands on nothing significant. Old man Julien and runaway Elsa exchange cutesy banter amidst some truly beautiful countryside (note to self: add the Vercors Massif range to any future French adventure). But despite their best efforts it's an uneven affair, where emotional heft proves more elusive than the rare 'Isabella' they pursue. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Rating: 82% As sweet as it is imaginative, The Butterfly is a heartfelt and entertaining drama that gets viewers to relate to both of the main characters. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member A tender & touching film of a young girl from a distracted mother & her unlikely friendship with elderly gentleman who is a Butterfly enthusiast who is searching for a rare butterfly. He is cunningly convinced that the little has no family & he reluctantly takes her on his Outdoor Trip in search for the Butterfly. Their relationship blossoms like the Butterfly itself & the beautiful lies in the French Scenery & their Tender Relationship. A light nice film that is a pleasure to watch. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Butterfly

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Cast & Crew

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Philippe Muyl

Director

Michel Serrault

Julien

Claire Bouanich

Elsa

Nade Dieu

Isabelle

Hélène Hily

Marguerite

Françoise Michaud

Cafe Waitress

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The Butterfly

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Movie Info

Synopsis A young French girl, Elsa (Claire Bouanich), is often left on her own due to the work schedule of her single mother, Isabelle (Nade Dieu). After Elsa ends up spending time with Julien (Michel Serrault), a surly old butterfly collector, the two set out on a journey through the countryside. Intent on finding a particularly short-lived butterfly, Julien and Elsa form an unlikely friendship on their rural trek, but trouble arises when her mom becomes concerned as to her whereabouts.
Director
Philippe Muyl
Producer
Patrick Godeau
Screenwriter
Philippe Muyl
Distributor
First Run Features
Production Co
Rhône-Alpes Cinéma, Alicéléo, Canal Plus Image International, Gimages 6, Natexis Banques Populaires Images 3, Gimages, Cofimage 13, France 2 Cinema
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 19, 2003, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
May 2, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA)
$38.4K
Runtime
1h 20m