M. Butterfly
Seen it?1993 | 101 min | Romance, Drama
Weeknight WatchWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With middling reviews (39% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a box office loss, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics. If you loved Rocketman or The French Lieutenant's Woman, start here.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 41 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
In 1960s China, French diplomat Rene Gallimard falls in love with opera singer Song Liling – but Song is not at all who Gallimard thinks.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
39% on Rotten Tomatoes, 43 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$1 million worldwide on a $17 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 113K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by David Cronenberg
- Jeremy IronsRené Gallimard
- John LoneSong Liling
- Barbara SukowaJeanne Gallimard
- Annabel LeventonFrau Baden
- Shizuko HoshiComrade Chin
- Ian RichardsonAmbassador Toulon
- Richard McMillanEmbassy Colleague
- Vernon DobtcheffAgent Etancelin
- David HemblenIntelligence Officer #1
- Damir AndreiIntelligence Officer #2