"I have a vision. Of the Orient. That, deep within its almond eyes, there are still women. Women willing to sacrifice themselves for the love of a man. Even a man whose love is completely without worth." - M. Butterfly, III.iii

It's plot time!

This synopsis does include the ending, so… spoiler alert?

Rene Gallimard, a former diplomat wallowing in French prison, recalls his 26-year affair with a Beijing opera singer named Song Liling, and how it all began when he saw Song perform the famous aria from Gallimard's favourite play: Puccini's Madama Butterfly.

Unlike his other connections with women, Gallimard's seduction of and relationship with Song is perfect. He is the dominant one. His self-confidence is bolstered by Song's absolute devotion and obedience, save for one condition: she never appears naked before him. But what does that matter? In all other ways, he has found his Butterfly.

Their lives become increasingly more intertwined, spanning the Chinese cultural revolution, Gallimard's disgraceful demotion, the arrival of a son, and the forging of a new life together in France. It is not until 1986 that Gallimard finds himself accused of treason, having stolen and shared state information with Song —who is not only a Chinese spy, but a man as well.

The revelation that Song is a man sparks international interest and ridicule. Gallimard, however, mourns only for the loss of the fantasy he lived for over two decades. Faced with the truth of his great love affair, betrayed by his lover, Gallimard retreats even further into delusion. In the final scene, Gallimard dresses himself as Butterfly and commits seppuku, confirming that Song was never Gallimard's Butterfly —it had always been the other way around.

… Yup.