‘Giving Birth To A Butterfly’ Review – A Heartfelt Road Trip of Self-Discovery

Giving Birth to a Butterfly is a heartfelt film about two women struggling with their own mistakes and circumstances on an unusual road trip. While the storytelling could use some work, the movie is uplifting and hopeful. The story centers on Diana and her family, who are going through financial difficulties. Her husband, Daryl, dreams of opening a restaurant despite his dead-end job, and their children are still figuring out their futures. When their son’s girlfriend, Marlene, arrives pregnant, it adds another layer of complexity to their already complicated lives.

Diana is a hardworking mom, doing everything she can to provide for her family with her small pharmacy income. Daryl dreams big, but his current low-wage job keeps them struggling to make ends meet. Their daughter, Danielle, is content running lights for the local theatre but doesn’t have a clear direction for her future. And then there’s Drew, their son who works at a pet shop with Simpsons-named fish. One day, Drew brings home his girlfriend Marlene, who is pregnant – but not with Drew’s baby. Despite the unexpected news, the family is determined to stick together and raise the baby as their own.

Daryl is quick to offer Marlene and her baby a place to stay, despite an array of possible complications that may arise. Meanwhile, Diana is facing financial troubles after falling victim to identity theft through an unclear online scheme. Refusing to let the scammer get away with her hard-earned money, Diana hatches a plan to track down the address on the product she purchased. To her surprise, she enlists Marlene to join her on the adventure, leading them both on a journey of discovery and self-discovery.

Giving Birth to a Butterfly is a movie that transports us to a fantastical world, yet somehow reflects the struggles of working and middle-class America. Many of us may have experienced the hardship of being able to afford a decent home but struggling to pay bills due to stagnant income. With industries shutting down and jobs becoming scarce, the dream of saving up for our kids’ education may seem like an impossible feat. It’s no wonder that the characters in this film retreat into dreams of a better life, despite the odds stacked against them.

The movie is shot beautifully on 16mm film, which gives it a certain quality that perfectly suits the story. As we watch, we see a soft focus that seems to suggest the characters’ world is either shrinking or moving fully into a space where they can be enveloped by their unexplored thoughts. Diana, in particular, seems to resist the idea of separating from her worldly responsibilities of motherhood and marriage. While it hasn’t all been bad, it has worn her down, and now that her children are grown, she needs to rediscover who she is.

Marlene, on the other hand, is trapped by her pregnancy. She knows the responsibility this means, and her own mother has retreated into a complete fantasy world, leaving her at a disadvantage. The road trip Marlene takes with Diana not only allows them to bond but also to find a counterpart in each other. Marlene can learn how to keep herself whole while being a mother, while Diana can learn what it means to let go when she finally has the opportunity.

While the movie occasionally leaves us wondering how the characters reached this point, it offers a wonderful relationship and great performances at its heart. The world it presents feels both foreign and familiar, and the train whistle calling our name is one we might all recognize. Despite some symbolism that feels a bit too on-the-nose, Giving Birth to a Butterflyis a movie that will leave you feeling inspired and hopeful.

Giving Birth to a Butterfly is currently playing in select theaters courtesy of Cinedigm. The film is also currently available to stream on Fandor.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CdkFrCERGk]