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 form 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
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 form 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