The Butterfly (I) (2002) User Reviews

Sweet and ephemeral

[ecjones1951 · 8/10 · 5 July 2006]

I can't remember the last time I watched a movie to the end of the credits and immediately went back to the titles and watched it all over again. I was in need of some cheering up. Parents can watch "The Butterfly" with their children and everyone in the room will enjoy it.

It is a pleasure to see a child actor who is as natural and believable as Claire Bouanich. I'm guessing she didn't know she was working with a legend -- but maybe she did. Anyway, she more than holds her own with Michel Serrault.

Some of the "life lessons" taught in "The Butterfly" are a little pat. Some of the coincidences are a bit contrived. But that's OK. The beautiful scenery, witty banter between the two leads and the lessons they learn from each other make up for any deficiencies. Sometimes what we need or want most in our lives really is right under our noses. This movie is a gentle reminder of that basic truth. Very sweet and endearing.

the old man and the child

[dbdumonteil · 7/10 · 6 June 2005]

Julien (Michel Serrault) is a bitter old man in the midst of an emotional desert. His collection of butterflies constitutes his sole passion. One day, he makes his new little neighbor's acquaintance, Elsa (Claire Bouanich), visibly neglected by her mother but looks unfavorably on her intrusion in his life. One day, he's going to the Alps to try to find a rare species of butterfly, the Isabelle and for his greatest pleasure, Elsa invited herself to the trip...

If you ever want to spend an evening in front of a DVD and if you search for originality, then this Philippe Muyl's flick hasn't your name on it. How many times have we seen the eternal recipe of a friendship story between a grumpy old man and a little girl as fresh as a daisy? Making Julien and Elsa go into the Alps to try to discover the Isabelle is a pretext to bring them together and make them know each other. At first, it's hostility. At the end, complicity prevails. Between the two poles, a scheduled psychological evolution. In short, on the surface "the Butterfly" (2002) smells the reheated. However, although Muyl has limited talents as a film-maker (the success of "Cooking and Dependences" 1993 is to be attributed to the tandem Jean-Pierre Bacri/Agnès Jaoui), there's something warm in his work. The presence of the little Claire Bouanich is partly responsible of it. She's so gorgeous of freshness and spontaneity that it would take a heart of stone to resist her. Definitely no Shirley Temple. She sees in Julien, the grandfather she would have liked to have and especially an experienced person to take care of her. Getting in contact with him, she learns life with its joys and sorrows and her hill-walking is rich in learning lessons so that it's nearly an initiatory travel for her. Beside her, Michel Serrault is excellent as usual.

Tenderness for his two main characters, preposterous explications but adapted to a child's faculties of understanding to bring touches of humor (did you know that shooting stars are locks of hair God loses?). Philippe Muyl mixes these two things and by letting oneself slip into this touching story, one just has to be charmed along the way and the work is done. And it works rather well. There's a feel-good factor that dominates our minds throughout the projection and sometimes it's comforting to feel this. Moreover, the wild beauty of the Alpin countryside is highlighted to add a decent amount of poetry.

But probably to avoid a break of tone, the director erased as much as possible dramatic sides of the story, particularly the hateful misunderstanding according which Julien is suspected to have kidnapped Elsa when she left of her own free will. During the time the two protagonists are in the mountains, this point is taken to the back seat and after Elsa fell into the hole and help rescue her, Julien is taken to the police station but we can watch him leaving it rather freely without any trouble. Philippe Muyl glossed over this point. Fortunately, that doesn't muck up the bliss of the projection but beware Mr Muyl! You came close to disaster! At the end of the road, the most cynical ones will only probably see a simpering flick without any real depth and tailor made to furnish an evening in front of the telly. As for the others: if you are sick of watching violent or bloody movies à la "Kill Bill" (2003/2004), why not having a break with this certainly stereotyped product but so cute which surfs on the wave of unexpected popular movies like "une hirondelle a fait le printemps" (2001) through the simple philosophy it brings out: earth connection, a return to the basic pleasures of life.

The Director Should Trust His Own Movie - Mild Spoiler!

[CigaretJim · 7/10 · 13 September 2004]

Le Papillon ("The Butterfly") is a lightweight, charming, and mostly successful film. This story of a crotchety old butterfly collector (Michel Serrault) traveling--at first unwittingly--with a precocious young girl (Claire Bouanich) offers no new Insights On The Human Condition, but is pleasant, funny and touching in parts.

Both leads are very effective; in particular Claire Bouanich as youngster Elsa is very cute without ever becoming too hammy.

***************** Now, HERE IS THE MILD NON-SPECIFIC SPOILER: This movie works quite nicely all the way up to the end, at which point writer/director Philippe Muyl decides to throw in the SECOND of two rather miraculous coincidences. The first coincidence/miracle is wonderful, and could have provided more than enough "magic" for the conclusion. But, it seems Muyl doesn't trust the emotional weight of his own story and tacks on, in what's almost a throwaway line, a second amazing coincidence. For me at least, this cheapens the film somewhat. *****************END OF SPOILER

That caveat notwithstanding, I still enjoyed it very much and recommend it to viewers who are looking for a bit of light entertainment with beautiful scenery and excellent performances. 7.5/10

So called children's movie is in essence an adult's movie with lessons about life

[tbearinside · 31 March 2003]

Amazing film, the little girl does a perfect performance. The metamorphosis of the butterfly reflects the changing of the relationships between people within the story. Non-stop jokes, but it maintains its seriousness with lessons about life for adults through the use of an eight year old girl and her uncountably numerous questions. The film is an A film, with a nearly flawless script written by the director. This movie should be up on everyone's must see list and i can easily give it five stars without thinking twice.

sweet movie but with some adult themes parents should know about first

[dwess7 · 6/10 · 21 May 2008]

This movie begins immediately with scenes, however unclear to young viewers, of an eight year-old girl being neglected by her mother (who's so young it's first not clear if she's her older sister) e.g. she's mistakenly locked in a van; she's alone in the apartment overnight. The next scenes with her make it clear to most viewers over the age of 5 that something's wrong here: her mother never picks her up after school. Then she sits by a pay phone on a bus stop all day waiting for a promised outing from her mother, who never shows.

The scenes between Elsa and Julien contain more than one occurrence of "merde" which is clearly translated in the subtitles.

There is also a fairly frank discussion of the fact that Elsa was born only because it was too late for her teenage mother to have an abortion.

This might all go over the heads of some children; others will want to ask questions, so parents should be prepared that it's not necessarily perfect viewing for the entire family.

A marvelous gem

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 25 May 2005]

This movie features exceptional acting (particularly by the adorable little girl), good writing and does not degenerate to saccharine. Unlike some family films, what occurs in the movie is NOT straight by the numbers, predictable and completely wrapped up in the end--a definite plus for me!

The story is about a cranky old butterfly collector who is pulled into (against his will) the world of a very lonely child. The script says she is 9 years-old, though she appears younger. Usually, I hate child actors/actresses. They often seem to "play the role of a kid" instead of behaving believably. This child, though unusual, seems like a REAL child and her dialog was written by someone who has actually been around kids. What a concept!

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.

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.

They still make great movies!

[The_Pc · 10/10 · 29 January 2006]

This movie is just what movies are supposed to be about, about people, their interaction, the way they evolve as a result... life. Add to that great dialogue, good acting and a great photography and you got a movie that should be on the top 20 list of anyone looking for real movies.

The fact that the underlying storyline has already been brought several times to the big screen, with the same dexterity or not, does not detract from the fact that this film combines all its elements in a mix that positions it above the crowd. Serrault's movies might not all have been of this quality, but in recent years he has certainly managed to bring us several movies where the humane aspect of his characters prevail.

Do not start looking for logical explanations for certain elements of the movie, do not psychoanalyse it and try to find faults... this movie is just like life itself, sometimes logical, sometimes illogical, often random. Just watch, enjoy and get carried away by the witty dialogue. Despite all the adversities one might encounter, it's those little things - how insignificant they may be - that make it worthwhile and helps everyone become the unique individuals we are.

This is a sincere movie suitable for the whole family that manages to stay out of the tear-jerker or kiddy movie categories. Special mention also for the soundtrack! If you liked this you might also want to check out The Malabar Princess.

Great movie with warmth and heart

[s_dot_3 · 10/10 · 15 August 2005]

Le Papillon is an endearing movie that tugs at your heart as it entertains as well. It is good to see a movie that is not the normal mindless Hollywood dribble. If you walk away not feeling touched in some way by this movie, then you need to go to the wizard and get a heart.

Maybe the symbolism is simple (i.e., the caterpillar becomes a butterfly scenario), but it still resonates and is an important lesson from which we all can and should benefit. Maybe we should all be like the characters in this film who start out flawed, yet find a greater sense of self, worth, and duty.

Do yourself a favor: go buy this movie. I promise you will not be disappointed.

A Class movie...

[pandyam · 9/10 · 4 December 2006]

I saw the movie and totally engrossed in the movie. The innocence of Elsa and the stern old man. You can make out the Director was not apt in direction but my view is he directed good; in addition to that the script, character and story line was just class. The innocence of Elsa was just cute; when she says that his name was wrongly registered with missing i in Elsa. And the old man caring for the girl in-spite of she spoiling the party to find find the Butterfly, Isabel.

The ending sequence was most rewarding in addition to the innocent talks in the whole movie between the two, when the old man is being taken away by Police.

And the ending song...I would love to watch over the movie again and again... God Bless for presenting such a good movie. Thank you. Regards, Mukesh Pandya - India.

Slow-moving but beautifully filmed

[nicholas.rhodes · 5 December 2003]

I spent many years of my youth butterfly collecting so it was easy for me to identify with the character portrayed by Michel Serrault in this film. I never used to like him as an actor as I always thought that "il en faisait trop" but in recent films I have found his performances more subdued and therefore more acceptable. Of course, the idea of an old man being forcibly coupled together with a small child is quite an amusing one and it is fun and feel-good to watch the development of the relation between the two..........hostility at the outset of the film and then great friends at the end. Add to this the beautiful countryside of the Vercors region and you have a pleasant film to watch. With a bit of luck this is the sort of French film that may well have success internationally. It is in the same vein as "Une Hirondelle a Fait le Printemps" starring again Michel Serrault and Mathilde Seigner as a young would-be agriculture student coupled together with Michel Serrault in an isolated farm.

Beautiful Film!

[WilliamCKH · 9/10 · 2 December 2007]

I really love this film! There is a sweetness about it that really makes you smile. I love films where a child and adult are forced to have conversation and how both parties learn from one other. It's not easy to pull off because it depends so much on the balance of the two, the child must be believable, and Claire Bouanich as Elsa is. She kinda reminds me of a young Linsay Lohan (in the Parent Trap). Michel Serrault is, of course wonderful. He played a similar role in Une hirondelle a fait le printemps (The Girl From Paris), a crotchety old man, who wants to be left alone but somehow is won over by a young person, full of energy and life, and full of questions too. I had a very personal connection with this film that I can't explain only that there were scenes in it that made me shiver only because It coincided so much with certain things in my life. If you have children, watch this film. If you don't, you may want them afterwards.

A pleasant journey

[nitznithya · 10/10 · 19 March 2012]

I was not feeling well yesterday and lost sleep after a nightmare. I was browsing in Netflix for something that would make me feel good..that I can watch and fall asleep.I played some but didn't like and then saw this one. I didn't fall asleep till the movie got over :) The movie is about a butterfly collector and his neighbor kid(very cute little girl), going to the mountains in search of a rare butterfly. It is a plain, simple, light and heart-warming movie. It made me feel much better and I had a pretty good sleep. P.S. After seeing this movie, I have decided that after I get kids, I want to take them on nature trips like this.

Beautiful movies are never out of date

[kiradykesky · 9/10 · 24 April 2020]

This can be considered a perfect tender sketch. The two lines are intertwined, the journey of the old man and the girl, looking for their "Isabella". The content is simple, but the structure is not clear at a glance, and the time rhythm is just right. Like a light and idyllic poem, I feel quiet in my heart. Lonely and beautiful.A movie that made me heal the wound in my heart.

Cutest movie ever!

[sammas21 · 30 March 2003]

I highly recommend this movie to anyone and everyone. It is so adorable! It's about a little girl, Elsa, who goes on an excursion with an elderly man named Julien, who is searching for a rare butterfly known as Isabella. On their journey, the oddly paired couple learn more about each other and grow to become close friends. The dialogue is the best part of this movie; Elsa and Julien taunt each other with witty comebacks. Although only eight years old, Claire Bouanich is a very talented actress. The cameras love her, and so will you. If you're looking for a movie with a happy, feel-good ending, then "Le Papillon" is the one for you.

Poor Butterfly

[writers_reign · 12 November 2003]

The premise of an old man/woman lumbered with a young child of invariably the opposite sex is a time-honored plot in both literature and movies. Damon Runyon's 'Little Miss Marker', for instance made it from short story to screen at least twice, three times if you count the Tony Curtis '40 Pounds Of Trouble' entry. So ideally we need to apply a little spin to the genre and that's what we have here, a Gallic souffle pitting Michel Serrault's solitary specialist against the neglected child from the one-parent family. Helmer Muyl artfully turns this into a quest movie; all his life Serrault has been searching for the rare 'Isabella' butterfly which only breeds for 30 seconds every other Fall. As luck would have it - or not, as the case may be - just as he sets out for an extended trip to nail the sucker once and for all he finds stowaway Elsa (with her often-absentee mother she has moved into Serrault's apartment building and already caused havoc by opening the hot-house door against his specific instructions, thereby releasing several species into the wild). There's nowhere really new to go with a story like this so that the best we can hope for is to be charmed along the way - and, in this case, get some spectacular scenery thrown in - and that we get, in spades. At his age Serrault should know better than to go up against Cute on wheels but incredibly he holds his own and the result is Feelgood squared. If there is a minor beef it is that not enough was made of Elsa's wandering away, falling down a well obliging Serrault to involve the police and face charges of kidnap if not worse. With barely any explanation he is freed and befriends Elsa's mother before settling down to teach Elsa how life goes in cycles via the hatching of the specimens they caught. Cynics may balk at the Bluebird of Happiness reference when Serrault learns that a specimen sent to him at the outset is, in fact, the elusive Isabella, i.e. the thing he was looking for was right there under his nose all the time if only he'd known it. These cavils apart the film is a joy as well as a welcome antidote to the Texas Chainsaws of this world. Highly recommended.