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The Butterfly

Play trailer Poster for The Butterfly 2003 1h 20m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
79% Tomatometer 19 Reviews 85% 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

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Walter V. Addiego San Francisco Chronicle 06/04/2004
3/4
The film has a sweetness that stops short of sentimentality. Go to Full Review
Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times 03/18/2004
4.5/5
An exceptionally satisfying film of much grace and beauty. Go to Full Review
Elizabeth Weitzman New York Daily News 01/02/2004
2.5/4
Depending on your perspective, this French family drama will either feel sweetly sentimental or shamelessly manipulative. Go to Full Review
Keith H. Brown Eye for Film 12/07/2007
3/5
Reel.com 09/24/2004
2.5/4
Jules Brenner Cinema Signals 09/22/2004
3/4
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Audience Reviews

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02/23/2020 The story is engaging and creative, and the feeling is goodness. The two principals are wonderful. See more 07/12/2018 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. See more kyle v 06/06/2018 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. See more 07/18/2017 ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? See more 04/22/2016 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. See more 12/12/2015 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. See more Read all reviews
The Butterfly

My Rating

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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