felicia blake I remember watching this film in my teens (I am 41 now) and being mesmerised! Its slow-paced, no action occurs whatsoever but I had to keep watching as it was completely gripping. I watched this with my boyfriend last night and he too thought it was good! Each actor excelled in their character guise and towards the end you really grow to love, care and respect each of their individual qualities. You can really understand why it was a play as the movie plays as such. My FAVOURITE scene is toward the end where Don's heart is breaking to see Jill fake a love for the random introduction of Ralph. The camera stays with him and we see him pretend to smile, struggle to comprehend what is happening to inevitable tears - stunning!! Very underrated classic. I gave this a 10 star! My main criteria - Could it have been any better? Simple answer = NO!

DKosty123 Thanks to Turner Classic Movies and Goldie Hawn night, I have finally seen this movie. It is most impressive. Goldie Hawn is fantastic in this one, and not just her looks. She plays this role like she was meant for it even though she was not in the stage play.Edward Albert is great in the title role and the lady who plays his mom is perfect. This is a film where good dramatic writing is raised above that level by excellent acting. It is very much like the stage play but it is done so well, and the characters draw you in so well, that you wish you could have seen this play live.It is also a vivid reminder of how stupid being politically correct really is. The script and the actors point out so well at several points that it is not important if the words are right, but it is extremely important how you live with words that will not go away. This might just be the best film to reflect the hippie era.This movie should be put on any viewers list as it is one of the better films of it's type. The characters are deep and it is entertaining without being an action movie. This one is just before the action era dominated films the next few years.

julesteberg I have been wanting to see this hard to find flick since I had the chance to play the "Goldy" character in the stage play. Although the film dates to '72 it really isn't even dated, although in one segment it does reference two out of operation airlines--sign of the times. The cinematic version retains many of the features one would find in the stage play. I found the experience of watching "Butterflies are Free" so much more rewarding then many more countless modern pictures I've forked out 8 bucks for at the theater.The character development is fantastic, Goldie Hahn is really classic as a"reformed hippie" San Fran transplant. However, I feel the supporting characters really shine with their nuancedperformances. The long camera angles and the sets really allow you to see the interaction between the actors and the talent shines. This film is entertaining and enjoyable without expensive special effects, graphic violence or vulgarity-- just a young Goldie in her cute panties and tiny, svelte figure.

gpburdell I really enjoyed the movie, but one thing I noticed and appreciated was the long shots. Modern movies usually are changing angles and context every few seconds; while like a play, this movie will hold a shot for minutes at a time. I think it shows the strength of the actors, while most contemporary movies can mask poor acting with editing. This is especially true towards the end of the movie, in the scene where Don and Jill confront each other's feelings. I was amazed at how Goldie was able to hold the emotion of the scene and keep me drawn in for such an extended period. I've never been a big Goldie fan, but I had never seen this movie until recently. I have to say this movie changes my opinion and makes we wonder what other films of hers from this period are like.