Reviewed by Kim Choe
In many respects, this is a film of the times. Entirely shot on a digital stills camera, it has been relying on social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) for marketing. Moreover, a large part of its plot is driven by happenings in virtual reality.
But, even in these days when anyone with so much as a cellphone can be a filmmaker, merely having the gadgets and knowing how to use them isn’t enough. You still need a good story and solid performances. Butterfly Crush doesn’t excel in either respect.
I need to qualify all of what follows by noting that this is the debut feature from New Zealand writer-director Alan Clay, based on his novel Dance Sisters. Even so, I couldn’t help but feel that I’ve seen better films made by university students.
Granted, it does have an unusual premise. A singing, dancing pop duo trying to win big at the fictional Australian Song Awards must resist the pull of the Dreamguides cult one of them has become involved in. But Dreamguides is so ridiculous it almost defies definition – its members dabble in virtual sex, astrology, relationship counselling and artist management.
The overall result is an awkward, stilted film that hops back and forth from rehearsals of cheesy pop numbers to cult meetings that try very hard to be cultish but just, well, aren’t. It never quite manages to reconcile that fact that it appears to be aiming at a young teenage audience with its dark, risqué themes.
But what Butterfly Crush lacks in narrative it makes up for in heart – for a low-budget film, it’s tidily put together and you can tell cast and crew were totally committed to the project.
One and a half stars.
Butterfly Crush
:: Director: Alan Clay
:: Starring: Courtney Hale, Hayley Fielding, Richard Adams
:: Running Time: 90 mins
:: Rating: M – offensive language, sexual references
:: Release Date: August 12, 2010
:: Official site: butterflycrush.net
