Maximum manipulation seems to be the aim of this true-story-based heart-tugger in which a renowned entomologist (William Hurt) reluctantly agrees to help a terminally ill Canadian boy (Marc Donato) achieve his ultimate wish of catching a rare Blue Morpho butterfly. A gently paced trip to the Costa Rican rainforests follows, where lessons are predictably learnt and personal truths confronted amid a tidal wave of sentimentality. But what prevents this from being just another "disease of the week" flick is the film's delightful celebration of the natural world and tribal culture, which visually and aurally enriches the otherwise simple plot. Strong performances - particularly from Pascale Bussières as Donato's tough but loving mum - add to the affecting experience, before the family adventure sadly comes undone in a far-fetched and rushed final act.

Based on a true story, The Blue Butterfly tells the story of a terminally ill 10-year-old boy whose dream is to catch the most beautiful butterfly on Earth, the mythic and elusive Blue Morpho. His mother persuades a renowned entomologist to take them on a trip to the jungle to search for the butterfly, leading to an adventure that will transform their lives