Butterfly Tattoo, The (DVD)

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You may not have heard much about "The Butterfly Tattoo" when it was released over a year ago in theaters and just a few months ago on DVD. This is surprising and unfortunate, especially because it won the Silver Chris at the Columbus Film Festival, was an official selection at the Netherlands Film Festival and Film by the Sea, won the best adaptation and best director awards at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival, and is probably better than many similar movies released about teenage love these days. I´ve had the disc for several weeks, but thanks to almost a dozen other releases in my queue wasn´t able to get to it until recently. Now that I have, I wish I´d watched it sooner.

Based on a book titled The White Mercedes by Philip Pullman, "The Butterfly Tattoo" is an independent film that further convinces me Hollywood could learn a thing or two from some smaller markets. Of course, the almighty dollar tends to reign supreme in America´s movie making hub, and whether or not this story could compete with something like the "High School Musical" films or "Twilight" is questionable. Still, "The Butterfly Tattoo" takes its lead actor and actress to new heights, relies on a solid supporting cast and has a quality soundtrack and script. It is complex and features some unique twists and turns, but never to the point where you can´t or don´t want to follow how it develops.

During a ritzy party on a cold fall evening, a stunning and beautiful teenage girl named Jenny (Jessica Blake) is running from a rich, pompous fellow whose intentions are less than moral. As she tries to get away she passes Chris (Duncan Stewart), a simple boy who lives in a less lavish Oxford neighborhood but works as a lighting specialist for an entertainment company that secures work in high-end locations. Chris sends her down a path to a boathouse, and diverts that rich, pompous gent seeking Jenny´s company. A few minutes later, he follows her only to find a masquerade mask and her white evening dress. Determined to see her again, Chris tracks Jenny down and returns her attire. The two eventually go out for dinner, drinks and dancing, and find they come from equally turbulent upbringings that draw them together. Their relationship becomes intimate and expands until police remove Jenny´s housemates for drug charges, leaving her with nowhere to go. Chris is unable to contact Jenny, and his world comes crashing down when his boss Barry (Aidan Magrath), whom he trusts and respects, confides in him to work on a special project but lies about his past life. As this past returns to the present, Chris and Jenny become intertwined with revenge, jealously and deceit, leaving their love and passion hanging in the balance.

I enjoyed this film for three reasons. First, Blake and Stewart are excellent in their leading roles. Blake is downright gorgeous from beginning to end. She is genuine and blends her sexuality perfectly with the character to create intrigue and curiosity about Jenny´s past. She manages to be sensual, but also intelligent and charismatic, all while maintaining a "girl next door" persona throughout the film. Stewart is basically that nice guy who finishes last more often than not, but this is what makes him likeable. You want him to fall in love and be happy, even if there is a string or two attached. His realistic, simple and down to earth approach to life adds value to the performance. He isn´t perfect, polished or refined, but like Blake´s character, is genuine and passionate enough that you don´t really notice or care. The best part is that both Blake and Stewart actually look like normal teens, not overly done up or privileged. They have a natural chemistry, and it permeates throughout the film.

Second, the soundtrack and score are unique. Featuring equally independent music, this independent film weaves songs and background tunes into its 101 minutes extremely well. It isn´t the top 40 stuff you´d hear on American radio, but this isn´t the big market stuff you´d see in American theaters, either. Like the characters, the music isn´t perfectly polished, but it is catchy and well placed.