X
  • 2003
  • PG
  • First Run Features
  • 1 h 25 m
  • 2003
  • PG
  • First Run Features
  • 1 h 25 m
The Butterfly

Summary Eight-year-old Elsa (Bouanich) and her mom Isabelle (Dieu) move in next to Julien (Serrault), an ornery old entomologist with a lavish butterfly collection in his apartment. Her mother is hardly ever home, and Elsa soon grows attached to her neighbor. (First Run Features)

Directed By: Philippe Muyl

Written By: Philippe Muyl

  • 2003
  • PG
  • First Run Features
  • 1 h 25 m
  • 2003
  • PG
  • First Run Features
  • 1 h 25 m

The Butterfly

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 11 Critic Reviews
64
User Score Universal Acclaim
8.3
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Summary Eight-year-old Elsa (Bouanich) and her mom Isabelle (Dieu) move in next to Julien (Serrault), an ornery old entomologist with a lavish butterfly collection in his apartment. Her mother is hardly ever home, and Elsa soon grows attached to her neighbor. (First Run Features)

Directed By: Philippe Muyl

Written By: Philippe Muyl

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 11 Critic Reviews
64
64% Positive
7 Reviews
36% Mixed
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 11 Critic Reviews
64
64% Positive
7 Reviews
36% Mixed
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
80
An exceptionally satisfying film of much grace and beauty.
By Kevin Thomas FULL REVIEW
75
The film has a sweetness that stops short of sentimentality.
FULL REVIEW
75
Sentimental and predictable? Sure, but The Butterfly is so well-meaning and the wide-eyed Bouanich is so sweet and lovable only a Scrooge would dare complain.
By V.A. Musetto FULL REVIEW
70
A solidly entertaining, cross-generational two-hander, The Butterfly strikes the right balance between humor and observational bite.
By Lisa Nesselson FULL REVIEW
60
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.
By Hazel-Dawn Dumpert FULL REVIEW
60
The film's heart is the relationship between Elsa and Julien, and stars Bouanich and Serrault have a lovely onscreen rapport that's truly endearing.
By Angel Cohn FULL REVIEW
50
It's all very sweet and occasionally touching. More lasting shots of more beautiful butterflies would have added a lot, though.
By David Sterritt FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Universal Acclaim Based on 4 User Ratings
8.3
100% Positive
4 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Universal Acclaim Based on 4 User Ratings
8.3
100% Positive
4 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company Alicéléo, Canal+, Cofimage 13, France 2 Cinéma, Gimages 6, Gimages, Natexis Banques Populaires Images 3, Rhône-Alpes Cinéma
Release Date Dec 19, 2003
Duration 1 h 25 m
Rating PG
Genres
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Awards

Jeonju Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

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