RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / The Butterfly
The Butterfly

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Bookmark and Share

The Butterfly (2003)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
80 %
Tomatometer

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted: 20

Fresh: 16

Rotten:4

Average Rating: 6.6/10

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 80 mins

Genre: Foreign Films

Synopsis: Writer-director Philippe Muyl delivers this tender French family drama about an unlikely bond that forms between a young girl and her elderly neighbor. Michel Serrault (LE CAGE AUX FOLLES) is... Writer-director Philippe Muyl delivers this tender French family drama about an unlikely bond that forms between a young girl and her elderly neighbor. Michel Serrault (LE CAGE AUX FOLLES) is Julien, an aging butterfly collector who leads a quiet life. But when Elsa (Claire Bouanich) moves into the apartment above him, Julien's life takes on a new trajectory. Neglected by her mother, the inquisitive eight-year-old attaches herself to Julien and convinces him to take her on a trip to the mountains to try to locate Isabelle, a beautiful but elusive butterfly. At first skeptical, Julien relents--thinking that Elsa's mother has left her alone in the apartment--and the pair embark on their journey. As the journey unfolds, Julien shows Elsa the attention that she's been craving, and Elsa gives Julien a new lease on life, helping him to see the world through more innocent eyes. Back at home, Elsa's mother Isabelle (Nade Dieu) is shocked to discover that her daughter has disappeared. A near-tragedy brings the situation to a head, teaching each of the characters a very valuable lesson about life and love. Directed with extreme sensitivity by Muyl, THE BUTTERFLY features standout performances from the always reliable Serrault and newcomer Bouanich. [More]

Starring: Michel Serrault, Claire Bouanich, Nade Dieu

Starring: Michel Serrault, Claire Bouanich, Nade Dieu

Director: Phillippe Muyl

Director: Phillippe Muyl
Screenwriter: Phillippe Muyl
Producer: Patrick Godeau

[See More Credits]

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Oct 19, 2004

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for The Butterfly

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By: Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Eye for Film | comment Comment
12/07/07
Keith H. Brown
Eye for Film
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
05/26/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
09/24/04
Reel.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Orlando Weekly | comment Comment
09/22/04
Orlando Weekly

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Signals | comment Comment
09/22/04
Jules Brenner
Cinema Signals

The unyielding lens catches even the smallest moments of yielding as the two humans, one so young and one so old, one so eager and one so broken, come to appreciate each other.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
09/22/04
Kim Williamson
Boxoffice Magazine

A delicately etched little character study.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
08/08/04
Harry Haun
Film Journal International

The film has a sweetness that stops short of sentimentality.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
06/04/04
Walter V. Addiego
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Quiet yet wonderfully curious, bold but not bratty, this moon-faced little girl captures the subconsciously tarnished innocence of a child accustomed to having the blues...

Full Review Source: SPLICEDWire | comment Comment
06/04/04
Rob Blackwelder
SPLICEDWire
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Entertainment Insiders | comment Comment
06/01/04
Jonathan W. Hickman
Entertainment Insiders

Although well acted with a strong sense of naturalism, the film is as light and ephemeral as the [butterfly] itself.

Full Review Source: Film-Forward.com | comment Comment
04/09/04
Kent Turner
Film-Forward.com

The story is as predictable as a hot summer in South Florida, but if you're in need of comfort, Le Papillon is a good choice.

Full Review Source: Miami Herald | comment Comment
03/26/04
Marta Barber
Miami Herald

Apparently, I can appreciate a good natured movie in which a sweet attachment and fluttering butterflies pervade the landscape.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
03/22/04
Jules Brenner
Filmcritic.com

An exceptionally satisfying film of much grace and beauty.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
03/18/04
Kevin Thomas
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

If there's anyone to credit for The Butterfly's eventual triumph over the inherent fatuousness of the material, it's the great Serrault and his tiny leading lady, who matches her elder nearly line for line and look for look.

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
03/18/04
Hazel-Dawn Dumpert
L.A. Weekly

Just once, I'd like to see a foreign film about a cranky old person and an adorable tyke who don't become pals and change each other's lives.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
01/15/04
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

Depending on your perspective, this French family drama will either feel sweetly sentimental or shamelessly manipulative.

Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment Comment
01/02/04
Elizabeth Weitzman
New York Daily News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Michel Serrault's typically expert performance and writer-director Philippe Muyl's ability to avoid the usual cliches in his execution of the tale give The Butterfly an undeniable appeal.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
12/23/03
Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Beautiful scenery and a strong cast help director Philippe Muyl overcome a less-then-compelling script.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
12/19/03
Angel Cohn
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Sure to please children and adults.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
12/19/03
V.A. Musetto
New York Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
See More Topics...

Related Forums for The Butterfly

Click here to be the first to post a message on this forum.

See All

More DVDs

Close
Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
79%
79%
Gran Torino
30%
30%
12 Rounds
23%
23%
Confessions of a Shopa…
—
The Code
39%
39%
Inkheart

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
22%
22%
Push
12%
12%
The Unborn

More New Releases…

RT On Current TV

What’s Hot On RT

Deconstructing Harry

Deconstructing Harry

Pt. 3: Cuaron's darker Prisoner of Azkaban

Best Mockumentaries

Best Mockumentaries

From Borat to Spinal Tap, this one goes to 11

Humpday Clip

Humpday Clip

An exclusive peek at the indie comedy!

Half-Blood Prince

Half-Blood Prince

How good is the 6th Harry Potter?

Other News

Close
  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Weekly Ketchup: T.J. Hooker Film in Development
38
  • Warners Shortens Green Lantern Wishlist Source: Hollywood Reporter
134
  • Harold Ramis Talks Ghostbusters 3 Source: MakingOf.com
42
  • Spider-Man 4 Gets Its Third Writer Source: Latino Review
60
  • Warners Wins Favorable Ruling in Superman Case Source: Variety
20
  • Remo Williams Rides Again Source: Risky Biz
10
  • Mortal Kombat 3 Filming in September? Source: Slashfilm
82
  • MacGruber Gets a Director Source: Variety
39
  • PG-13 Turns 25 Source: VideoETA
8
  • Weekly Ketchup: Universal Takes on Asteroids
92
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Deconstructing Harry, Day 3: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
82
  • Deconstructing Harry, Day 1: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
67
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Transformers and Ice Age Tie for Top Spot
59
  • Deconstructing Harry, Day 2: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
53
  • Total Recall: Mock Docs That Rock
46
  • Critics Consensus: Bruno is Certified Fresh
44
  • Tomatometer Watch: How Good is Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?
42
  • Five Favorite Films with Kathryn Bigelow
39
  • RT on DVD: Knowing, Push, The Unborn Unleashed
28
  • Five Favourite Films with Jaime Winstone
20
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • RT Interview: Director Carlos Cuaron on Rudo and Cursi
0
  • RT Interview: Tony Scott on The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
10
  • Cannes 2009: RT Interview - Sally Hawkins on We Want Sex
2
  • RT Interview: Tilda Swinton on Julia
5
  • Hollywood Legend Debbie Reynolds Reflects On her Life in Showbiz
10
  • Exclusive: McG Talks Terminator Salvation
24
  • Georgia Groome - Fresh Talent on RT
5
  • RT Interview: Reading The Reader with Stephen Daldry
11
  • RT Interview: Oscar Nominee Melissa Leo
7
  • Carey Mulligan - Fresh Talent on RT
7
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • The Butterfly at Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh Links

Featured
Point-Counterpoint: Bruno
Point-Counterpoint: Bruno External Link

MSN's David Fear and Frank Paiva go head to head discussing the pros and cons of Bruno star Sacha Baron Cohen.

The New Cult Canon
The New Cult Canon External Link

The AV Club's Scott Tobias takes a second look at David Lynch's cult classic, Lost Highway.

Tom Cruise's 10 Best Roles
Tom Cruise's 10 Best Roles External Link

TIME takes us on a 25-year long journey into the superstar's career, giving us a look at his 10 best roles.

A Baywatch Comedy?
A Baywatch Comedy? External Link

BuzzSugar reports on Paramount's plans to rebirth the iconic TV show as a comedy film.

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.