It was sheer unexpected chance that I caught the last segment of "The Blue Butterfly" one Tueday late afternoon in June on cable Encore channel. It's 'based on a true story.' Quite an encouraging factor. And I was lucky enough to again catch this little known William Hurt movie (a 2004 Canadian-made film) when Encore repeated its showing. What a treat. Tear-jerker, in a way, with the story about this terminally ill young boy determined to pursue the Blue Butterfly with his ideal collaborator - an entomologist he adored and believed in, for the mythical quest of a journey deep into the jungles of Costa Rica! Yes, sounds like a Disney adventure and family drama, as the boy's single-mother also went along to provide moral if not physical support to her son's dying wish, literally.
If you try to dissect the film or compare it with other movies, you're doing yourself a disfavor. Just go along with the trio: our young hero Pete in his wheel-chair (well-portrayed with such simple ease by Canada's popular seasoned young actor, Marc Donato), his French-accent attractive Mom who stands by his wishes (she looks familiar - it's Pascale Bussières in w-d Patricia Rozema's "When Night Is Falling" 1995 Canadian production), and the passionate nature man Mr. Osborne, who does care inside though ill-at-ease on the surface with the resolute boy (another William Hurt never-disappoint performance).
And what's not to like: location shooting takes you into the rain forest of Costa Rica - it does feel like going through a National Geographics sojourn - remarkable close-ups of insects, fascinating nature captures and lush landscape scenes. Capable cinematography by Pierre Mignot and skillful editing by Michel Archand. Comparable screenplay by Pete McCormack, based on true events, with dramatic elements infused for film-goers' sake. Decent direction by Léa Pool (of "Lost and Delirious" - a controversial subject film which may not be for everyone, with intense performance by 'Coyote Ugly' talented Piper Perabo), who kept the dramatic tones non-sappy, and the adventure segments, the core relationship between the entomologist father-figure and the singularly-minded boy comfortable to follow. The ending notation - which is no spoiler - letting the viewers know what became of the terminally ill young boy, is definitely uplifting and life affirming. Yes, miracles do occur. (I have Lani Hall's song from her 'Sweet Bird' album, 'That's When Miracles Occur' singing in my head. "Love you're giving you must give away" and " Make sure you risk everything" - the lyrics sure ring true in this film.) Unobtrusive music (integral native rhythms, too) by Stephen Endelman, exquisite (nature) sound design by Ivan Sharrock and visual effects supervised by Gunnar Hansen all enhance the film experience.
"The Blue Butterfly" is a movie worth watching. Glad that Encore encores its showings on cable. It's also available on DVD, which included fascinating bonus features (from 10 to 18 minutes variety): there's interview with the real life 'Pete' - David Marenger, story about young David and the real 'Osborne' - French entomologist Georges Brossard of 'Fondateur Insectarium De Montreal'. See "Mariposa Azul: A True Story" with executive producer Francine Allaire, "The True Inspiration" and "About A Butterfly Garden" with David, and "The Actors' Experience" with Bussières, Donato, Hurt (he explained why he liked the dream sequence idea, and his observations of Georges) on their portrayals and on set anecdotes, including venturous Georges (who showed and told us about the 'big' bugs!), of course.
If you try to dissect the film or compare it with other movies, you're doing yourself a disfavor. Just go along with the trio: our young hero Pete in his wheel-chair (well-portrayed with such simple ease by Canada's popular seasoned young actor, Marc Donato), his French-accent attractive Mom who stands by his wishes (she looks familiar - it's Pascale Bussières in w-d Patricia Rozema's "When Night Is Falling" 1995 Canadian production), and the passionate nature man Mr. Osborne, who does care inside though ill-at-ease on the surface with the resolute boy (another William Hurt never-disappoint performance).
And what's not to like: location shooting takes you into the rain forest of Costa Rica - it does feel like going through a National Geographics sojourn - remarkable close-ups of insects, fascinating nature captures and lush landscape scenes. Capable cinematography by Pierre Mignot and skillful editing by Michel Archand. Comparable screenplay by Pete McCormack, based on true events, with dramatic elements infused for film-goers' sake. Decent direction by Léa Pool (of "Lost and Delirious" - a controversial subject film which may not be for everyone, with intense performance by 'Coyote Ugly' talented Piper Perabo), who kept the dramatic tones non-sappy, and the adventure segments, the core relationship between the entomologist father-figure and the singularly-minded boy comfortable to follow. The ending notation - which is no spoiler - letting the viewers know what became of the terminally ill young boy, is definitely uplifting and life affirming. Yes, miracles do occur. (I have Lani Hall's song from her 'Sweet Bird' album, 'That's When Miracles Occur' singing in my head. "Love you're giving you must give away" and " Make sure you risk everything" - the lyrics sure ring true in this film.) Unobtrusive music (integral native rhythms, too) by Stephen Endelman, exquisite (nature) sound design by Ivan Sharrock and visual effects supervised by Gunnar Hansen all enhance the film experience.
"The Blue Butterfly" is a movie worth watching. Glad that Encore encores its showings on cable. It's also available on DVD, which included fascinating bonus features (from 10 to 18 minutes variety): there's interview with the real life 'Pete' - David Marenger, story about young David and the real 'Osborne' - French entomologist Georges Brossard of 'Fondateur Insectarium De Montreal'. See "Mariposa Azul: A True Story" with executive producer Francine Allaire, "The True Inspiration" and "About A Butterfly Garden" with David, and "The Actors' Experience" with Bussières, Donato, Hurt (he explained why he liked the dream sequence idea, and his observations of Georges) on their portrayals and on set anecdotes, including venturous Georges (who showed and told us about the 'big' bugs!), of course.