Customer Reviews

The Blue Butterfly

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A terminally ill boy who is interested in entomology dreams that
his life will be changed if he can just see and capture a rare Blue Morph butterly that inhabits the rain forests...so he persuades a leading Canadian scientist to take him and his mother on the mission.

William Hurt is outstanding in the role of an imperfect man who cares for the ill boy in a fatherly way...perhaps to undo the psychological damage he foolishly inflicted on his own daughter who he abandoned to continue his scientific pursuits. All the acting is exceptional but the real "star" is the Costa Rican rain forest itself. This film displays beautiful and moving pictures of this colorful world of insects, frogs, and plants. Although the plot is formulaic, the movie succeeds in touching our hearts and souls. I have no difficulty recommending it for the whole family.

This movie brought tears and a smile. Inspired by a true story, a terminally ill ten year old boy's dream is realized when a Scientist who admits he's 'not good with kids' agrees to take him with him to the rainforest to seek out the almost mythical/magic-like Blue Butterfly. The movie is deeper than it seems, and we realize that all of life is a true miracle and capable of its own mysterious magic. I found this story inspiring!

Chrissy K. McVay - Author

While on an out-of-town trip a while back, I was fortunate to see an advance showing of this beautiful film, with good acting and a really nice ending that had me leaving the film with a really good feeling! Should win an Academy Award for best cinematography for the rainforest scenes! I can't wait to get a copy on DVD, so my entire family can watch it.

While not a nature-lover, I found this movie fascinating. Have called parents of all my grand-nieces/nephews to say this is a must have movie for the kids and their families. Good to have a decent movie to recommend.

The photography of this movie and the story are incredible, can help many individual with serious illnesses that have given up hope.

'The Blue Butterfly' is based on a true story about a terminally ill ten year old boy who is granted his dying wish to go to the Amazon and try and capture the elusive blue butterfly. Added by a reknowned entomologist and his loving Mother the journey of a lifetime begins and before its conclusion everyone involved discovers there's more to life than any of them could have ever imagined.

A film to be enjoyed by the entire family. Moving, Uplifting, Mystical and Inspiring!

Starring; William Hurt, Pascale Bussieres and Marc Donato.

Very nice movie that shows a child's endurance going after one of the most beautiful creatures on this planet.

William Hurt did a great job showing he's not one to be idoled.

I never know Nature could be so beautiful and a story fill you with so much hope.

If you know of any kids who are suffering with cancer, and especially those who diagnosed as terminally ill, this would be an inspiring film for them.

Meanwhile, who doesn't like looking at butterflies? Well, this story is a lot more than that, but you might as well enjoy the fantastic insects and nature scenery of Costa Rica while going along for this ride. This is another based-on-a-true story film, about boy dying of brain cancer getting his wish to go track down the mysterious "Blue Morpho" butterfly which supposedly brings magical powers.

The film stars William Hurt and a couple of unknown actors: Marc Donato, who plays the boy, "Pete Carlton," and Pascale Bussieres as his mom, "Teresa." All three do a fine job.

I really enjoyed the wildlife photography. Some of the insects, reptiles, birds and animals in that part of the world are just amazing. The story tries hard not to be sentimental, sometimes too hard and also infers near the end that the young boy was magically healed by some spirits of the jungle. Filmmakers love promoting mystical New Age-type stuff. Nonetheless, unlike what I expected, there was a happy ending to this story. Most importantly it was happy conclusion for the real person. Obviously, that is what is really important.

This is the real-life story of David Marenger, who is a grateful, now-healthy young man who spends his time wisely helping other kids with illnesses. You can see him in an interview that accompanies the DVD.

THE BLUE BUTTERFLY, made in 2004, is based on a true story as adapted for the screen by Pete McCormick and as directed by Léa Pool. Looking for this DVD in the usual places finds it listed under Family entertainment, and with the right family this film could raise some worthy discussions. But THE BLUE BUTTERFLY is not a typical Hallmark-type presentation: it is based on fine acting by a varied cast gathered from Canada, the USA, and Costa Rica, it is a beautifully sculpted nature film, and it introduces a fact - that miracles do happen. It deserves a wider audience.

Alan Osborne (William Hurt) is an well known Entomologist who is visiting Montreal of the dedication of a science building named in his honor. There the busy Osborne meets 10-year-old Pete Carlton (the fine young Canadian actor Marc Donato), a victim of brain cancer who is in his final month of life and who has become a devoted fan of the brilliant Osborne's books and lectures to the point that Pete wants Osborne to take him to the rain forest to capture a Blue Morpho butterfly - the Blue Morpho Butterfly (Morpho menelaus) is an iridescent blue butterfly from South American rain forests and is an insect Pete remembers Osborne as calling 'magic'. Pete's devoted mother Teresa (then incandescent Canadian actress Pascale Bussières) accompanies Pete to meet Osborne, shares her son's lack of future, and ultimately convinces Osborne to take Pete to the rain forest despite Osborne's hesitation. From here the film is all located in the rain forest (here, Costa Rica as captured on film by Director of Photography Pierre Mignot who also is responsible for the extraordinarily beautiful close-up images of all manner of insects and wildlife), and with the help of a friendly village lead by Alejo (Raoul Trujillo) the group (Pete, Osborne, Teresa, Alejo and guides) sets out to find and capture the Blue Butterfly. What follows is a journey that tests faith, shows courage and mends bruised lives: the capture of the desired butterfly and the manner it is handled is one of the little miracles of the film - the real 'miracle' is that upon return to Canada, Pete is diagnosed free of tumor!

Films such as this can, in the wrong hands, become maudlin and saccharine, but from the script through the direction through the acting of the cast this film exceeds expectations. it is a lovely little movie that restores faith in the power of human kindness. Grady Harp, June 10