Butterflies Are Free

In the bohemian San Francisco of the early 1970s, 19-year-old Jill Tanner rents an apartment to discover her next-door neighbor, 20-year-old aspiring singer-songwriter Don Baker, peering through a window. The next day, through their paper-thin walls, she overhears him arguing with his overprotective mother Florence on the phone. Intrigued, Jill introduces herself to Don. Don explains that he has made a pact with Florence, allowing him to live independently for two months without her interference. Jill, who had a six-day marriage at the age of 16, reveals that she has sworn off commitments to avoid hurting people. When she learns that Don is blind, he tells her that he possesses "shadow vision", which gives him the ability to sense obstacles in front of him and thus avoid potential accidents. Jill, who has a strong desire for freedom, shares her favorite quote with Don, which she misattributes to Mark Twain. Don informs her that the quote is from Charles Dickens' Bleak House: "I only ask to be free. The butterflies are free. Mankind will surely not deny to Harold Skimpole what it concedes to the butterflies." Jill encourages Don to wear stylish clothes instead of the clothes his mother bought him. As they walk together to a bohemian clothing store on Union Street, Jill tells Don about her upcoming audition with theater director Ralph Santore, who wishes to marry her. At Jill's suggestion, Don purchases a bold outfit that makes him look like a musician. Jill proposes that they unlock the door connecting their apartments so they can become closer. She offers for Don to touch her face, allowing him to "see" her, and they eventually sleep together. Don and Jill arrange to have dinner together that evening, and she returns to her apartment to prepare for her audition. Florence questions Jill's suitability and persistently tries to convince Don to come home with her, but he refuses and leaves to go shopping for dinner. In Don's absence, Florence invites Jill to lunch, hoping to persuade her to leave Don. Florence discusses his previous involvement with a woman who motivated him to leave home, and with whom he fell in love, but who ultimately broke his heart. She insists that Don needs a woman who can commit to him, citing Jill's inability to sustain a long-term relationship. Despite admitting she might not be the ideal woman for Don, Jill argues that Florence is the one stunting his growth and self-confidence. That night, while awaiting Jill's return, Don scolds Florence for secretly talking to Jill earlier. When Jill finally arrives with Ralph, she reveals that she has been given a minor role in the play, which will include a nude scene. Jill announces her decision to move in with Ralph, which devastates Don. After Jill and Ralph leave, Don tearfully implores Florence to take him back home. Florence shares that the motivation behind the Donnie Dark books was to help Don confront his fears. She admits that she struggles to accept that she is no longer needed, but leaves after embracing her son. As Jill returns to Don's apartment to say goodbye, he deduces that she does not love Ralph. She reaffirms her freedom to leave whenever she wants and reveals that she fears hurting Don. He accuses her of being emotionally crippled because of her refusal to commit to a relationship. Jill leaves to meet Ralph, and Don has a breakdown while listening to "Butterflies Are Free". Shortly afterwards, Jill returns and tells Don that she has had a "shadow vision" of an obstacle in front of her: Ralph. They laugh and hug.