In the Time of the Butterflies (2000)

Good story not that great of a film.

I love the story, the movie just wasn't as good as I had expected. Perhaps as usual the book is better. March 21, 2008

Disney Adaptation of the Brutal Trujillo Dictatorship

Trujillo was the brutal dictator of the Dominican Republic from 1931 until his assassination in 1960. This movie is based on the novel of the same name written by Julia Alvarez. To get a real picture and story of the regime and its impact on the DR people, read the book and pass on the movie which with feels like a Disney movie adaptation. This movie highlights the role of the Mirabal sisters in opposing Trujillo's brutal rule albeit it really falls short of making you feel the universal fear, pain and suffering of the DR people during the time. The sisters and their husbands and family members are jailed and tortured in their quest for justice and a better future for their family and their country. It is hard to imagine (impossible) that Salma Hayek in her fine dresses and attire was a serious revolutionary against a Dictator who slaughtered 30,000 people during his reign. This would be a good introductory "light" movie for those interested in getting a feel for the DR during the Trujillo times.
March 1, 2008

A fair overview of real History

A friend of mine who is also interested in History told me about this movie and I am glad I bought it. It deals with a real part of the Dominican Republic's History. Maybe it is not accurate, but it sticks to the fact that Trujillo was a cruel dictator in that country for many years, just as "La Fiesta del Chivo" (Vargas Llosa) did. Made in English for the American public, it misses the fact that the United States helped and sponsored all the dictators who ruled in Latin American and Caribbean countries at that time. Somoza in Nicaragua, Batista and those before him in Cuba, Pinochet in Chile, and Trujillo in DR, just to mention a few, were placed in power to protect American interests in those countries. The movie does not portray this fact which would have made it educational for that public. January 22, 2008

Potential but comes up short

I watched this movie recently with several family members and must say that considering the subject matter it left us feeling flat. The storyline is predictable, especially if you know the history of "El Jefe" or the story of the sisters and the mariposas(butterflies). Many people here at Amazon have done a good job of describing(beware of spoilers)the movie so I'll skip that part in this review. The story lines adapted from the book are weak, the characters only somewhat believeable but overall it is a shallow depiction of the ruthless regime of Trujillo. The black and white photographas in the beginning lend credibility to the story, are quite graphic, as are the torture scenes but otherwise the movie is luke warm; the action or suspense never heats up. Edward Olmos is good as Trujillo but there is not enough of him. His character seems almost benevolent, the father-like figure of the country who rules with a firm but gentle hand. If we could have seen more of his anger,his suspicion of others, his ruthless and vile conduct it would have been more interesting. Selma Hayek was very good and pretty much dominated the film. I agree with the another reviewer that more attention should have been given to the collective body of work of the sisters. Essentially this is one of those movies you might want to only rent rather than buy. There just isn't enough there to spend your money on. Recommended for movie buffs who like a little history based on a book that does a much better job of telling a story. December 12, 2007

A little sentimental, but interesting

A fascinating time in history in a rare film treatment. I look forward to when The Feast of the Goat finally makes it to DVD, North American region. This film offers only fair performances from Selma Hayek and Edward James Olmos. A long stay in a notorious prison by Selma Hayek somehow manages to have no effect on her drop dead looks and figure. Still, it's a glimpse of an important time in American (not just U.S.) history that is little known to U.S. citizens. November 19, 2007

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