BLACK BUTTERFLY
US/Spain, 2017, 93 minutes, Colour.
Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Piper Perabo, Brian Goodman, Abel Ferrara.
Directed by Brian Goodman.
This is an English-language adaptation of the Spanish film, Papillion Noir from 2008. The action has been transferred from Spain to Colorado.
The mountain settings are attractive. An author, suffering from writer's block, played by Antonio Banderas, is having difficulties with his agent, needs money, impatient when driving into town and overtaking a large machine vehicle. He is in touch with an estate agent, Laura (Piper Perabo) and is embarrassed by the confrontation with the driver in the diner but face is saved when an itinerant man, Jack (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) accosts the driver. The relieved Paul offers Jack a lift, accommodation at his house, while Jack offers to cook and to do repairs.
At the core of the film is the writer's mental block, his needing a plot, Jack suggesting he write a story based on their encounter, indicating subplots. They become rather sinister as Jack turns into the unwelcome stranger, terrorising Laura and Paul, shooting the sheriff.
At which stage, there is a complete twist (spoiler alert) where Paul is accused of serial killings and interrogated by Jack who turns out to be an FBI agent who has been tracking him for some time. The sheriff is not dead. Laura is also an agent. They try to get a confession from Paul.
At which stage there is a further twist, Paul waking up, having dreamt the story and now being ready to write another book!
The film was directed by Brian Goodman who appears as the truck driver. Of interest to film buffs, when Paul goes into town, the storekeeper is played in a cameo by celebrated director, Abel Ferrara.
1. Portrait of a writer? Writer's block? Creativity and plot? Twists?
2. The mountain settings, the road, the house, the interiors? Traffic on roads? The diner? The atmosphere? The musical score?
3. The title, omen for trouble?
4. Introduction to Paul, in his home, writer's block, his back story? Disappearance of his wife? Previous success, Spain, coming to America? Phone calls, dealing with agents, being turned down? Need for money?
5. The story of the picnic, father and children, the disappearing mother, the search? The resumption of the theme later in the film?
6. Paul, driving to town, his impatience with the vehicle, overtaking? Meeting Laura, the background to his selling his house, the visitors, Is Meeting with Laura three times? The driver in the diner, accosting Paul? The sudden appearance of Jack, threatening the driver, taking him outside? Paul and his quiet manner, apologising to everyone? In his car, Jack on the road, picking him up?
7. The relationship between Jack and Paul? Jack mysterious, indication that he was in prison? The room, the shower, the meal, his skill in cooking, his offering to do the repairs, Paul wary, Jack offering to stay, doing the work, the discussions?
8. Jack, wanting to read the script? Suggesting a script based on their experience, his explanations, subtle subtexts and threats? Laura and her visit?
9. Jack turning mysterious, the noises on the roof, tying the couple up, Paul and his attempt to escape? Jack and his menace, the sheriff coming to the door, Jack shooting him? Repercussions for Paul?
10. Paul, tied up, the revelation that Jack was FBI, the set up with the driver, Laura as FBI, the flashbacks to Jack and the driver setting up Paul? Paul taking the bait? The interrogations, the number of missing women, the missing wife? The search of the property? The photo of his wife, the suspicions that his wife was buried beneath the pool?
11. Twist with Jack as FBI? The further twist with Paul and his writer's block, waking up, having a plot?
12. How effective as a psychological thriller? Twists?
