Le papillon

I saw the movie and totally engrossed in the movie. The innocence of Elsa and the stern old man. You can make out the Director was not apt in direction but my view is he directed good; in addition to that the script, character and story line was just class. The innocence of Elsa was just cute; when she says that his name was wrongly registered with missing i in Elsa. And the old man caring for the girl in-spite of she spoiling the party to find find the Butterfly, Isabel.

The ending sequence was most rewarding in addition to the innocent talks in the whole movie between the two, when the old man is being taken away by Police.

And the ending song...I would love to watch over the movie again and again... God Bless for presenting such a good movie. Thank you. Regards, Mukesh Pandya - India.

I really love this film! There is a sweetness about it that really makes you smile. I love films where a child and adult are forced to have conversation and how both parties learn from one other. It's not easy to pull off because it depends so much on the balance of the two, the child must be believable, and Claire Bouanich as Elsa is. She kinda reminds me of a young Linsay Lohan (in the Parent Trap). Michel Serrault is, of course wonderful. He played a similar role in Une hirondelle a fait le printemps (The Girl From Paris), a crotchety old man, who wants to be left alone but somehow is won over by a young person, full of energy and life, and full of questions too. I had a very personal connection with this film that I can't explain only that there were scenes in it that made me shiver only because It coincided so much with certain things in my life. If you have children, watch this film. If you don't, you may want them afterwards.

I spent many years of my youth butterfly collecting so it was easy for me to identify with the character portrayed by Michel Serrault in this film. I never used to like him as an actor as I always thought that "il en faisait trop" but in recent films I have found his performances more subdued and therefore more acceptable. Of course, the idea of an old man being forcibly coupled together with a small child is quite an amusing one and it is fun and feel-good to watch the development of the relation between the two..........hostility at the outset of the film and then great friends at the end. Add to this the beautiful countryside of the Vercors region and you have a pleasant film to watch. With a bit of luck this is the sort of French film that may well have success internationally. It is in the same vein as "Une Hirondelle a Fait le Printemps" starring again Michel Serrault and Mathilde Seigner as a young would-be agriculture student coupled together with Michel Serrault in an isolated farm.

This movie is just what movies are supposed to be about, about people, their interaction, the way they evolve as a result... life. Add to that great dialogue, good acting and a great photography and you got a movie that should be on the top 20 list of anyone looking for real movies.

The fact that the underlying storyline has already been brought several times to the big screen, with the same dexterity or not, does not detract from the fact that this film combines all its elements in a mix that positions it above the crowd. Serrault's movies might not all have been of this quality, but in recent years he has certainly managed to bring us several movies where the humane aspect of his characters prevail.

Do not start looking for logical explanations for certain elements of the movie, do not psychoanalyse it and try to find faults... this movie is just like life itself, sometimes logical, sometimes illogical, often random. Just watch, enjoy and get carried away by the witty dialogue. Despite all the adversities one might encounter, it's those little things - how insignificant they may be - that make it worthwhile and helps everyone become the unique individuals we are.

This is a sincere movie suitable for the whole family that manages to stay out of the tear-jerker or kiddy movie categories. Special mention also for the soundtrack! If you liked this you might also want to check out The Malabar Princess.

Le Papillon is an endearing movie that tugs at your heart as it entertains as well. It is good to see a movie that is not the normal mindless Hollywood dribble. If you walk away not feeling touched in some way by this movie, then you need to go to the wizard and get a heart.

Maybe the symbolism is simple (i.e., the caterpillar becomes a butterfly scenario), but it still resonates and is an important lesson from which we all can and should benefit. Maybe we should all be like the characters in this film who start out flawed, yet find a greater sense of self, worth, and duty.

Do yourself a favor: go buy this movie. I promise you will not be disappointed.