M. Butterfly (1993)

42% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(5,064 ratings)

David Cronenberg's cinematic intensity eviscerates this adaptation of David Henry Hwang's passionate stage production. Based on a true incident involving a French diplomat who carried on an affair for 18 years with a man the diplomat thought was a woman, M. Butterfly begins in 1964 Beijing when… More David Cronenberg's cinematic intensity eviscerates this adaptation of David Henry Hwang's passionate stage production. Based on a true incident involving a French diplomat who carried on an affair for 18 years with a man the diplomat thought was a woman, M. Butterfly begins in 1964 Beijing when French foreign service employee Rene Gallimard (Jeremy Irons) becomes smitten with Chinese opera performer Song Liling (John Lone). Before long, Gallimard is enamored with Song, and they begin an inflamed affair -- bracketed by the stipulation that Gallimard will never be allowed to look upon her in a state of complete undress. Gallimard agrees to the rules, but, as he climbs up the diplomatic ladder, the communist government gets involved, corralling Song to become an informer for the government. When, at last, Gallimard's passion demands nudity, Song flees the relationship. Gallimard, pining for his lost love, then becomes a physical and mental wreck. He leaves China and accepts a two-bit diplomatic position, but then Song appears once again to Gallimard. At that point, Gallimard is arrested and, during the subsequent sensational trial for treason, his affair is exposed for the sham that it is. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: David Cronenberg
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Oct 1, 1993 Wide
On DVD: May 18, 2006
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Paul Brenner, Filmcritic.com
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
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
One of Cronenberg's most problematic and most disappointing films, largely due to the source material.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Cronenberg no longer needs slimy parasites or exploding heads; the human heart's ability to fool itself is frightening and bizarre enough.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
There's a lot to chew on in this incredible love story turned into a grisly horror story.
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
A rare mis-step for director Cronenberg, neutering a challenging play with a bizarrely conservative filming approach.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Downright peculiar film from Cronenberg. Far from his best, but better than its reputation.
Matt Bailey, Not Coming to a Theater Near You
M. Butterfly is Cronenberg's least-known and most underrated work, far superior to his great cult hit, Scanners.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
Imperfect, interesting.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

Strange film, even for Cronenberg.
Elvira B

David Cronenberg's strength is bringing out the humanity of the oddest characters in the oddest situations. Perhaps the well-known story of M Butterfly was too narrow for him to experiment? Perhaps he decided it was best to stick to the play as faithfully as possible? I… More
David Cronenberg's strength is bringing out the humanity of the oddest characters in the oddest situations. Perhaps the well-known story of M Butterfly was too narrow for him to experiment? Perhaps he decided it was best to stick to the play as faithfully as possible? I don't know what happened, but the imaginative, irreverent, twisted, the king of psychosexual dramas that David Cronenberg has always been and that I have always loved, is repressed. Little inventiveness. All in all, a very conventional film. The upside: beautiful cinematography, excellent performance from John Lone and Jeremy Irons. Jeremy Irons can do no wrong. He always plays very similar, tortured characters, but does a great job in every occasion. Rene Gallimard is a blind, vague character, but Irons pulls out the best of him. I would watch the film only to see that. Bottomline: this could have been fantastic! It's just good.
Walter M

In "M Butterfly," Rene Gallimard(Jeremy Irons) is a minor official at the French embassy in Beijing in 1964. As such, he is tired of the tedious events on the social circuit, until he watches a performance of "Madama Butterfly" for the first time and is smitten… More
In "M Butterfly," Rene Gallimard(Jeremy Irons) is a minor official at the French embassy in Beijing in 1964. As such, he is tired of the tedious events on the social circuit, until he watches a performance of "Madama Butterfly" for the first time and is smitten with Song Liling(John Lone), the lead performer. This infatuation leads him to seek a performance of Chinese opera along with a passionate affair between the two, unbeknowst to Rene's wife Jeanne(Barbara Sukowa). At the same time, he comes to the attention of Ambassador Toulon(Ian Richardson) and is promoted to vice consul. "M Butterfly" is an underrated, very evocative and well-acted movie that touches on David Cronenberg's recurring theme of forbidden love(So, maybe he is a big softie at heart...) while also much more political than his other movies.(David Henry Hwang adapts his own play.) Subtly, the point is we see what we want to see, applied personally to Rene who is from a cloistered background.(Hell, even I've seen a performance of "Madama Butterfly.") This is a more modest time when men and women might still have been old fashioned enough to not undress in front of each other. While open to new experiences, he is also very naive in miscomprehending them. Rene is symbolic of the French government which is a decade removed from being forcibly removed from Vietnam, just got ejected from Algeria and are still analyzing Asia through their own colonial preconceptions which leads to vast mistakes, and continues in the present day with other countries in the Middle East.
Tobias X

David Cronenberg's most bland and disappointing work. Ironic, seeing how the source material is so interesting.
Daisy M

One of David Cronenburg's best,M.Butterfly, is based on a true story. John Lone is awesome as madame butterfly and Jeremy Irons is in his usual cold, upper class self role. I simply enjoyed this gentleman on screen. Perfect casting for a director filming a moving story of love… More
One of David Cronenburg's best,M.Butterfly, is based on a true story. John Lone is awesome as madame butterfly and Jeremy Irons is in his usual cold, upper class self role. I simply enjoyed this gentleman on screen. Perfect casting for a director filming a moving story of love and loss. For those who love this story itself, you will definitely agree how this movie perfectly described a story which tells " only in real life could love become so unreal." Also this is a good movie to watch if you are interested in the type of movie which entangle east and west, love and betrayal, passion and illusion... Highly recommending..
Leo L

A personal favorite.