Jeremy Irons,
John Lone,
Ian Richardson,
Annabel Leventon,
Shizuko Hoshi
... see 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... read more
DVD Release Date: May 18, 2006
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Stats: 262 reviews
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Flixster Reviews (262)
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January 16, 2009David 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 kno... read more
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May 5, 2010In "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(... read more
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April 14, 2009David Cronenberg's most bland and disappointing work. Ironic, seeing how the source material is so interesting.
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March 28, 2009One 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 ... read more
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June 6, 2011I can't see Jeremy Irons & NOT think of him in this role, & that includes his latest efforts in the Borgia's.Reminds me somewhat of the Crying Game, twist in the Plot wise, only this Movie is Stunningly beautiful
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October 14, 2009Here's a shocker, David Cronenberg directing a movie about she-male Chinese spies. Only John Watters could get away with that. Utterly messed up cinema.
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August 5, 2009I could not believe how incredibly dull M. Butterfly was. I've been told the play is absolutely enthralling. Therefore, I expected more of the film, which didn't become interesting until the last 20 minutes.
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July 22, 2009good movie!!!! I don't believe that that man could have been with a woman who was really a man for that many years without knowing.
Critic Reviews
May 17, 2009
Paul Brenner, Filmcritic.com
July 2, 2007
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
One of Cronenberg's most problematic and most disappointing films, largely due to the source material. Full Review
April 9, 2007
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. Full Review
March 14, 2007
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
There's a lot to chew on in this incredible love story turned into a grisly horror story. Full Review
January 5, 2004
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
A rare mis-step for director Cronenberg, neutering a challenging play with a bizarrely conservative filming approach.
August 27, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Downright peculiar film from Cronenberg. Far from his best, but better than its reputation.
April 19, 2003
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. Full Review
January 1, 2000
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Cronenberg and Hwang seem to have conspired to dull the material at every turn. Full Review
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M. Butterfly
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