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Movies / Upcoming / Chaos Theory
Chaos Theory

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Chaos Theory (2008)

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Reviews Counted:55

Fresh:17

Rotten:38

Average Rating:5/10

Consensus: Ryan Reynolds and Emily Mortimer do what they can, but ultimately Chaos Theory is an overly conventional dramedy.

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for mature thematic material, sexual content and language.

Runtime: 86 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:Mar 14, 2008 Wide

Synopsis: Frank Allen (Ryan Reynolds), celebrated author of the bestseller The Five Minute Efficiency Trainer, has perfected the art of living via a foolproof system of timetables and index cards. In fact,... Frank Allen (Ryan Reynolds), celebrated author of the bestseller The Five Minute Efficiency Trainer, has perfected the art of living via a foolproof system of timetables and index cards. In fact, his daily “to do” lists are legendary. A man known for playing it safe, Frank doesn’t believe in spontaneity. Every choice he makes is deliberate––designed to contribute to a well-ordered, predictable life. But life, as he soon learns, never adheres to a strict schedule. Frank’s wife, Susan (Emily Mortimer), and seven-year-old daughter, Jesse (Matreya Fedor), find his obsession charming in small doses, but as a steady diet it can be very frustrating. One morning, Susan attempts to loosen her husband’s scheduling stranglehold by adding ten minutes to his day. But, by setting the clock backward instead of forward, she inadvertently unleashes a series of mishaps that turn his meticulously ordered life upside down. A belligerent ferryman, a ruthless seductress, a reluctant mother-to-be and the secret amor of his best friend, Buddy (Stuart Townsend), combine to send his life into complete chaos. As his life unravels in several directions simultaneously, however, a stunning family revelation forces Frank to look fate squarely in the eye. Shaken to his core, he starts living entirely “in the moment,” allowing him to defy the conventions that have heretofore defined him. Those carefully coordinated index cards that had once kept his life in perfect order now become a deck of chance as Frank scribbles spontaneous ideas on random cards, shuffles, chooses and follows the luck of the draw…with unexpected results. Frank is about to discover that not even an efficiency expert armed with timetables and index cards can change the serendipitous nature of family and friendship, love and forgiveness. Castle Rock Entertainment and Lone Star Film Group present a Frederic Golchan Production, “Chaos Theory,” starring Ryan Reynolds, Emily Mortimer, Stuart Townsend, Sarah Chalke and Mike Erwin. Marcos Siega directed the film from a screenplay by Daniel Taplitz. “Chaos Theory” is produced by Frederic Golchan and Erica Westheimer, with Fred Westheimer serving as executive producer and Barbara Kelly as co-producer. The behind-the-scenes creative team included director of photography Ramsey Nickell, production designer Sandy Cochrane and film editor Nicholas Erasmus. The music is composed by Gilad Benamram. --© Official Site [More]

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Emily Mortimer, Constance Zimmer, Sarah Chalke

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Emily Mortimer, Constance Zimmer, Sarah Chalke

Director: Marcos Siega

Director: Marcos Siega
Screenwriter: Daniel Taplitz
Studio: Warner Independent

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Reviews for Chaos Theory

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Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
10/18/08
Reel.com

Despite its polemic simplicity, Daniel Taplitz's slight parable is charming

Full Review Source: Los Angeles CityBeat | comment Comment
04/11/08
Amy Nicholson
Amy Nicholson
Los Angeles CityBeat

Chaos Theory, starring Ryan Reynolds, confirms the underground vision of screenwriter Daniel Taplitz, who has re-imagined the screwball comedy in original terms.

Full Review Source: New York Press | comment 1 Comment
04/16/08
Armond White
Armond White
New York Press

As long as you don't tie your giggle bib on too tight, there's an exquisite depth and unpredictability to Chaos Theory that's wonderful to observe.

Full Review Source: BrianOrndorf.com | comment Comment
03/13/08
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
BrianOrndorf.com

Reynolds lets us see the wheels turn throughout this process, crafting Frank's stark behavior change as the thinking man's flip-out.

Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
03/14/08
Carla Meyer
Carla Meyer
Sacramento Bee

The lead performers, the brighter fillips in Daniel Taplitz’s screenplay and Marcos Siega’s assured direction make this a pleasing item overall.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
10/18/08
Dennis Harvey
Dennis Harvey
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Combines dark cynical humor with a moving relationship drama that never goes where you might expect.

Full Review Source: ComingSoon.net | comment Comment
04/10/08
Edward Douglas
Edward Douglas
ComingSoon.net

As imperfect as it is, Chaos Theory is much better than most of Hollywood's output this year.

Full Review Source: Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL) | comment Comment
04/14/08
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

Marcos Siega's direction is perfunctory, but with a buoyancy that keeps the torments-of-Job aspect of the story from becoming a downer.

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
03/15/08
Jim Lane
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

At least the film strives for its own quirky rhythm, which can't be said for stuff like 27 Dresses.

Full Review Source: Metromix.com | comment Comment
04/10/08
Matt Pais
Matt Pais
Metromix.com

The performances and Marcos Siega's direction put a pleasing sheen on the material.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
04/10/08
Michael Phillips
Michael Phillips
Chicago Tribune
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Reynolds goes through his emotional paces with conviction and is developing a trademark wounded look that is quite effective.

Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
04/11/08
Philip Marchand
Philip Marchand
Toronto Star

While gambling movies are beating the odds lately, Chaos Theory weighs the virtues and catastrophes of living life fanatically uptight instead, with those of the index card variety, and the results range from charming to zany.

Full Review Source: NewsBlaze | comment Comment
04/08/08
Prairie Miller
Prairie Miller
NewsBlaze

worth watching if you can get past the schmaltz.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
04/10/08
Rachel Gordon
Rachel Gordon
Filmcritic.com

Upbeat rom-com grounded in solid work by Ryan Reynolds and Emily Mortimer tells a meaningful story while still staying in-bounds with the PG-13 rating. Unusual Western Canada seacoast photography and upbeat soundtrack make for an entertaining film.

Full Review Source: Monsters and Critics | comment Comment
04/14/08
Ron Wilkinson
Ron Wilkinson
Monsters and Critics

Some turns in direction are subtle and charmingly rendered and, most notably, paired very, very well with performances to occasionally memorable effect.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
04/11/08
Sara Schieron
Sara Schieron
Boxoffice Magazine

This is a spot on brilliant gem of film that goes from one unexpected surprise to another. It had me laughing uncontrollably at times.

Full Review Source: tonymedley.com | comment Comment
04/12/08
Tony Medley
Tony Medley
tonymedley.com

directed with an inert sense of schmaltz such that after a while it is all but impossible for the audience to pick up on any clues or cues as to what is intended to be funny and what poignant

Full Review Source: Killer Movie Reviews | comment Comment
04/06/08
Andrea Chase
Andrea Chase
Killer Movie Reviews

The comic scenes can be arch or shrill, but director Marcos Siega (Pretty Persuasion) does better when the story turns somber and the emotions feel genuine.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
04/11/08
Andrea Gronvall
Andrea Gronvall
Chicago Reader

The funny bits are kind of funny. But the dramatic developments, in particular the one that drives the bulk of the story, are far less successful.

Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
03/13/08
Bill Goodykoontz
Bill Goodykoontz
Arizona Republic
 
 
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