M. Butterfly

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Ron P Nov 7, 2018 The main problem with M. Butterfly is one of credibility. All other issues momentarily aside, there is a huge question that needs to be answered: How can Gallimard have lived with, and made love to, this person for eighteen years, yet not recognized that Liling is actually a man? No firm solution is given, and the subject is only tackled in the most oblique and unsatisfactory manner. This film disappoints in almost every area, which is a shame considering the high regard with which the play has been received. The movie, however, seems to make the wrong decision at almost every opportunity, trying for the kind of melodramatic tragedy that only works in opera. Motion pictures like this need a firm grounding in reality which, sadly, director David Cronenberg has failed to provide. See more

Finn S Oct 30, 2018 Conservative approach to a very taboo subject matter.

Hermione R Jan 29, 2018 This seems to be one of Cronenberg's least regarded films, and the negative reviews it received focus on the fact that it's extremely unlikely that anyone would ever mistake John Lone for a woman. I don't see that as a fault with the film, in fact, I think that's the point. Cronenberg has always been fascinated by the descent into madness and abjection, and this film seems to be about Jeremy Irons giving up everything for an obsession that is clearly delusional. If we could easily understand his self-deception, like we can in "The Crying Game", then this would be about something very different. I don't think this is among his best films, but it's not a bad film. Irons is in top form. See more

Jul 14, 2017 Irons' character is egoistic, flawed, self-centered - not the guy to evoke sympathy. But by the end, he is an incredibly sympathetic character who has lost all for love. Need to be open-minded, but it's powerful. See more

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M. Butterfly

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