Film Summary
This tender French famiy drama follows eight-year-old Elsa (Claire Bouanich) and her mom Isabelle (Nade Dieu). They move in next to Julien (Michel Serrault), an ornery old entomologist with a lavish butterfly collection in his apartment. Her mother is hardly ever home, and Elsa soon grows attached to her neighbor. When Julien sets out on a weeklong hike in search of a rare and beautiful butterfly, Elsa hides herself in his car. Although Julien doesn’t want Elsa and her constant questions around, he begrudgingly accepts the situation and allows her to tag along with him on his expedition to the Alps, where she learns many things about the natural and the human world. "Its combination of psychological insight and emotional restraint helps it transcend sentimentality." -- Stephen Holden, NEW YORK TIMES   "Sure to please children and adults." -- V.A. Musetto, NEW YORK POST   "Michel Serrault's typically expert performance and writer-director Philippe Muyl's ability to avoid the usual cliches in his execution of the tale give The Butterfly an undeniable appeal." -- Frank Scheck, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER