William Hurt is professor Alan Osborne, insect-ologist, who in one presentation had said that the butterfly the Blue Morpho was the most beautiful thing, with almost magical powers.
Young Marc Donato plays Pete Carlton who has had surgery to remove a tumor in his skull, but the doctors have declared he has only a few months to live. He happens to be an amateur insect-ologist and a big fan of Alan Osborne's. He takes his comments about the Blue Morpho seriously.
Pascale Bussières plays Teresa Carlton, Pete's mother. One day at a dedication ceremony they approach Alan and ask him to help a dying boy fulfill his dream of seeing and catching a Blue Morpho in Central America. Alan doesn't want to bother, and besides there is only one week left in the season for them. But something happens to take Alan to the boy's bedroom, he sees all the insects and posters, and guess where they all end up? Yep, in the jungle hunting the Blue Morpho. Since the boy is weak, Alan carries him on his back in a special 'saddle' they made.
The DVD has an interesting extra with the real boy and the real insect-ologist.
SPOILERS. In the movie the scientist and the boy never catch a Blue Morpho. In fact, chasing one they fall into a pit, Alan breaks his leg, the boy has to go for help even though he has difficulty walking. But a village girl catches one, gives it to Pete, in a cage, as they leave the jungle. Pete gets better, he does not die. Maybe the Blue Morpho really had magical powers.
(PS - I am aware that insect-ologist is not the correct term, it just sounds better!!)
Young Marc Donato plays Pete Carlton who has had surgery to remove a tumor in his skull, but the doctors have declared he has only a few months to live. He happens to be an amateur insect-ologist and a big fan of Alan Osborne's. He takes his comments about the Blue Morpho seriously.
Pascale Bussières plays Teresa Carlton, Pete's mother. One day at a dedication ceremony they approach Alan and ask him to help a dying boy fulfill his dream of seeing and catching a Blue Morpho in Central America. Alan doesn't want to bother, and besides there is only one week left in the season for them. But something happens to take Alan to the boy's bedroom, he sees all the insects and posters, and guess where they all end up? Yep, in the jungle hunting the Blue Morpho. Since the boy is weak, Alan carries him on his back in a special 'saddle' they made.
The DVD has an interesting extra with the real boy and the real insect-ologist.
SPOILERS. In the movie the scientist and the boy never catch a Blue Morpho. In fact, chasing one they fall into a pit, Alan breaks his leg, the boy has to go for help even though he has difficulty walking. But a village girl catches one, gives it to Pete, in a cage, as they leave the jungle. Pete gets better, he does not die. Maybe the Blue Morpho really had magical powers.
(PS - I am aware that insect-ologist is not the correct term, it just sounds better!!)