Black Butterfly

Blu-ray Review by Kam Williams 

 

Antonio Banderas Serial Killer Whodunit Comes to Home Video 

Paul (Antonio Banderas) is the literary equivalent of a one-hit wonder. The flash in the pan enjoyed a short-lived success, thanks to the best-seller he published while still in his twenties. Back then, he became the toast of the town when the popular tome was adapted to the big screen, even though the movie bore no resemblance to his book besides having the same title.

But that was decades ago. Now, all the money's gone. The hangers-on have disappeared, too, and so has his wife (Alexandra Klim). As of late, he's turned into a recluse, living alone in the mountains of Colorado in a rundown cabin he can no longer afford to keep up. 
 
He fritters away most of his days drinking at a desk in a darkened room, praying for the inspiration to produce another masterpiece. Unfortunately, he's suffering from such a terrible case of writer's block that all he ever types are the words "I am stuck" over and over again.

Upon bottoming out with little hope of recovering, Paul admits to himself that it's time to sell house. So, he lists the property with Laura (Piper Perabo), an attractive realtor he hires more for her looks than her expertise. After all, he's knows her very first client. 
 
His judgment proves even worse when it comes to making friends. For, he decides to bring back to his place the Good Samaritan (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) who saved him from a trucker with road rage. Only after Paul agrees to let the stranger crash for a few days, does the guy reveal that he "just got out of prison and ain't never goin' back." 
 
Might this be the creep responsible for the recent rash of murders in the area? Unfortunately, Paul's located in an isolated spot in the woods without any internet, TV or cell phone service. Nevertheless, the plot thickens with the unannounced arrival of several visitors, including Laura, a delivery boy (Nicholas Aaron), and a cop (Vincent Riotta) looking for a missing mailman. 
 
Thus unfolds Black Butterfly, an English language-remake of Papillon Noir (2008), a French film featuring the same basic premise. Directed by Brian Goodman (Sal), this compelling suspense thriller slowly ratchets up the tension only to unravel during the denouement, thanks to a humdinger of a twist. 
 
A riveting whodunit spoiled somewhat by a rabbit-out-of-the-hat resolution.



Very Good (3 stars)
Rated R for profanity and violence.
Running time: 93 minutes
Distributor: Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Blu-ray Extras: Black Butterfly backstage featurette; a trailer gallery; and a commentary with director Brian Goodman and co-writer Marc Frydman.



To see a trailer for Black Butterfly, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaOymYQ3nMM

To order a copy of Black Butterfly on Blu-ray, visit: