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Movies / On DVD / M Butterfly
M Butterfly

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M Butterfly (1993)

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47 %
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Reviews Counted:17

Fresh:8

Rotten:9

Average Rating:5.8/10

Runtime: 1 hr 41 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Beijing, 1964. French Embassy accountant René Gallimard becomes infatuated with Beijing opera singer Song Liling after watching her perform arias from Puccini's "Madama Butterfly." At their first... Beijing, 1964. French Embassy accountant René Gallimard becomes infatuated with Beijing opera singer Song Liling after watching her perform arias from Puccini's "Madama Butterfly." At their first encounter he engages her in what becomes a titillating conversation, in which Liling intriguingly challenges Gallimard's traditional western notions of gender relations. Gallimard's curiosity is now fully aroused and he attends the Chinese Opera just to see Liling again, this time, he initiates an affair which will last 18 years. As soon as Gallimard is promoted to vice consul, becoming privy to top-secret intelligence, Liling takes the opportunity to spy for the Communist regime. But what Gallimard doesn't realize is that there's a secret Liling is keeping from him. [More]

Starring: Jeremy Irons, John Lone, Barbara Sukowa, Ian Richardson

Starring: Jeremy Irons, John Lone, Barbara Sukowa, Ian Richardson

Director: David Cronenberg

Director: David Cronenberg

[See More Credits]

Reviews for M Butterfly

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

When John Lone parades around in mascara and speaks in an asexual monotone, the film audience discovers itself staring at John Lone's whiskers underneath his makeup

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
05/17/09
Paul Brenner
Paul Brenner
Filmcritic.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
03/26/09
Todd McCarthy
Todd McCarthy
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Newsweek | comment Comment
10/18/08
David Ansen
David Ansen
Newsweek

No review available.

comment Comment
12/11/07
John A. Nesbit
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews

One of Cronenberg's most problematic and most disappointing films, largely due to the source material.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
07/02/07
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Cronenberg no longer needs slimy parasites or exploding heads; the human heart's ability to fool itself is frightening and bizarre enough.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
04/09/07
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

There's a lot to chew on in this incredible love story turned into a grisly horror story.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
03/14/07
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

No review available.

comment Comment
06/09/05
Thomas Delapa
Thomas Delapa
Boulder Weekly

A rare mis-step for director Cronenberg, neutering a challenging play with a bizarrely conservative filming approach.

comment Comment
01/05/04
Nick Davis
Nick Davis
Nick's Flick Picks

Downright peculiar film from Cronenberg. Far from his best, but better than its reputation.

comment Comment
08/27/03
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

No review available.

comment Comment
08/20/03
Ryan Cracknell
Ryan Cracknell
Movie Views
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Janet Maslin
Janet Maslin
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

M. Butterfly is Cronenberg’s least-known and most underrated work, far superior to his great cult hit, Scanners.

Full Review Source: Not Coming to a Theater Near You | comment Comment
04/19/03
Matt Bailey
Matt Bailey
Not Coming to a Theater Near You

Imperfect, interesting.

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
03/09/03
Walter Chaw
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central

No review available.

comment Comment
08/29/02
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Cronenberg and Hwang seem to have conspired to dull the material at every turn.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
01/01/00
Chris Hicks
Chris Hicks
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Marc Savlov
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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