Butterflies Are Free
by Milton Katselas
List Price:
Our Price: $11.05
You Save: $3.89 (26%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $4.99 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Edward Albert, Eileen Heckart, Goldie Hawn, Michael Warren, Paul Michael GlaserDirector: Milton Katselas
Brand: HAWN,GOLDIE
Cinematographer: Charles Lang
Editor: David E. Blewitt
Producer: M.J. Frankovich
Writer: Leonard Gershe
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 109 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-12-02
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Movie Reviews of Butterflies Are Free
Movie Review: Sweet & surprisingly moving
Summary: 5 Stars
I'd never actually seen this film all the way through, just in bits & pieces on TV over the years. But I picked up a DVD copy recently & watched it last night. I'd been expecting a pleasant, essentially light little film, but there were moments where it was a lot more than that -- I enjoyed it far more than I'd expected, in fact.
I was especially touched by the early scene where Don (Edward Albert) is touching Jill's (Goldie Hawn's) face, to "see" what she looks like. As he caresses her face and hair, she gently take his hand & guides to her breast & murmurs "This is my breast." This leads to the two of them going to bed for the first time.
What struck me about that scene, which is remarkably tender, vulnerable, and truly erotic, is that it really conveys the power of sexuality -- not just the physical aspect, lovely & exciting as that is, but the emotional aspect, the wonder & mystery of two people finding that special moment of communion, "becoming one flesh," as they say. I couldn't help but compare it to the extremely casual & commodified way sex is portrayed today, without depth, quite often lacking that almost sacred sense of wonder & mystery I mentioned. It's sex as union, sharing & oneness, rather than just satisfying an urge.
Yes, the film is of its time, but the issues & questions presented aren't dated in the least. When does the pursuit of freedom become a flight from commitment? When does love & well-meaning protection become smothering? Every generation faces these same questions.
The three leads are uniformly excellent, with Eileen Heckart definitely deserving of her Oscar. Her protrayal of Mrs. Baker is rich & dimensional, far from the cardboard villain she might easily have been in lesser hands. Edward Albert is just right as Don, convincingly blind, depicting someone who's trying just a little too hard to be cheerful & self-confident, his face betraying naked pain & despair when love takes a cruel turn. And Goldie Hawn is a warm, bubbly, smarter-than-she-looks Jill, playing carefree while letting her fears & insecurities come through strongly.
I hesitated about giving five stars, as it's clearly not a "great" film -- but as a slice of a particular time, a small work of innocence & joy, it couldn't be any better of its kind. It's not for the jaded, certainly, but for those who are willing to accept it on its own terms, it's most rewarding -- and for that reason, highly recommended!
Summary of Butterflies Are Free
A blind young man, Don Baker (Edward Albert) who is determined to make a life for himself despite his handicap.Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: PG
Release Date: 5-DEC-2006
Media Type: DVD
Similar DVD Movies
The Sugarland ExpressUNI DIST CORP. (MCA); Release date: 2004-08-17; DVD
Best price: $7.72
Price in other shops:
Death Becomes HerUniversal Studios; Release date: 1998-01-20; DVD
Best price: $5.29
Price in other shops:
Barefoot in the ParkREDFORD,ROBERT; Release date: 2002-04-09; DVD
Best price: $13.49
Price in other shops:
DeceivedBuena Vista Home Video; Release date: 2003-09-30; Published: 2003-09-01; DVD
Best price: $4.29
Price in other shops:
Bird on a WireUniversal Studios; Release date: 1998-07-22; Published: 1998-07-01; DVD
Best price: $4.14
Price in other shops:
HousesitterUniversal Studios; Release date: 1998-07-22; DVD
Best price: $3.97
Price in other shops:
40 CaratsSony; Release date: 2011-03-04; Published: 2010; DVD
Best price: $15.04
Price in other shops:
Seems Like Old TimesSony; Release date: 2002-03-19; DVD
Best price: $7.90
Price in other shops:
Swing ShiftSwing; Release date: 2004-06-01; DVD
Best price: $9.25
Price in other shops:
Cactus FlowerSony; Release date: 2002-04-23; DVD
Best price: $8.76
Price in other shops: