Butterflies Are Free (1972)

Butterflies Are Free is a pleasing romantic comedy highlighted by Eileen Heckart's Oscar-winning performance as the dominating mother of a blind man (Edward Albert) befriended by a free-spirited neighbor (Goldie Hawn). Adapted by Leonard Gershe from his hit Broadway play, the film has a self-contained feel, with limited locations and most of the dialogue taking place between the three main characters. Cinematographer Charles B. Lang does a good job, particularly with the challenge of keeping the mostly set-bound film visually interesting. Butterflies Are Free is at its best when Hawn and Heckart are on screen together. Heckart manages to convey a sense of caring that seeps through her controlling personality, adding a richness to the character that both critics and audiences found appealing. While the dénouement is predictable, it has a crowd-pleasing quality that has kept this film popular, particularly among fans of Hawn. ~ Richard Gilliam, All Movie Guide