The Butterfly Circus (2009)

just watch it!

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

This film was so astounding that I am leaving a review for the first time. I only hope that everyone will have the privilege of hearing what Nick has to say about life after watching the film. It is engaging and then portrays its message beautifully using the butterfly and its transformation. It is so encouraging to see a film that has an inspirational message. God has made him special physically so that he can proclaim the grace of the Gospel to all who will listen. I had no idea he could act, but nothing that Nick strives to accomplish should surprise any of us. I shed tears over his victory to not just exist in this world. May God grant all of us the 'Will' to overcome our own adversities.

This film by director Joshua Weigel is about a cabinet of curiosities and runs for little over 20 minutes. Basically, it's a bit of a road movies as we see circus performances, but also how paths of the artists cross with the random population always stuck between fascination and disgust for the creatures that make up the ensemble. The cast members are rather unknown with one exception maybe, Doug Jones known a.o. as Pan from Guillermo del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth".It's a nice idea as there's not too many films on the issue, even less short films, but this one did not do much for me. The shocking sequences (a limbless man almost drowning) felt as unconvincing as the emotional (the child's hug towards the end), so I'm a bit baffled by the high rating. There's really nothing in this effort that justifies a running time over way over 15 minutes. Weigel hasn't made a film for almost five years and if he ever wants to step into full feature territory, he will need to step things up. I hope he manages, as, occasionally, glimpses of talent were visible. If you enjoyed the likes of Terry Gilliam's "Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus", give this one a go, otherwise stay away.

This is a phenomenal movie! Gorgeous, and with a loving spirit. The US Depression period is captured with sensitivity. The movie grabs you and takes you along on the Butterfly Circus's travels. It is very professionally done - color is great, scenes very effective. There is an economy of action, yet it feels like a full-length movie. The story is poignant but not maudlin. I loved the opening scene with the old cars traveling across the dusty plain. The actor Vujicic makes the story so hopeful. I hope it will be made into a full-length film and played in theaters everywhere. I wanted to see more of each character,learn their backgrounds and how they found the Butterfly Circus. Also, I'm interested in what motivated the ringmaster.

we get it: with hope and faith in yourself you can achieve more, but this old wisdom for most viewers doesn't need to be spelled out this impudently (although, considering the many praising reviews of this short film on the net, I've marked this as a spoiler). every scene, I daresay every look and act is soaked in that feel-goodness, and turns these twenty minutes into a painfully transparent watch for the persistent viewer. apart from that, the acting and dialog are quite horrible and the script is trite and superficial. where sarcasm or mockery could, shamelessly copying from the Carnivàle series nor idealism can save this film from being bad.