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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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21 - 40 (sorted by date)
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The audience, if any, for Chaos Theory is going to be hit with a little puff of celluloid flatulence. The movie won't linger in the air, but that doesn't make it any less embarrassing.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
04/11/08
Kyle Smith
Kyle Smith
New York Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Oh, Ryan Reynolds. We like you. We want to see you succeed. And yet you keep making the wrong choices.

Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment Comment
04/11/08
Elizabeth Weitzman
Elizabeth Weitzman
New York Daily News

Do the math: X + Y = lousy.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
04/11/08
Liz Braun
Liz Braun
Jam! Movies

It's genial enough, but it should be called My First Mid-Life Crisis Movie.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
04/11/08
Ty Burr
Ty Burr
Boston Globe

Even when he goes 'dark,' it's a pretty harmless rebellion and the film never lets him pass a point of no return.

Full Review Source: Can Magazine | comment Comment
04/11/08
Fred Topel
Fred Topel
Can Magazine

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

A predictable romantic dramedy that isn’t particularly tender, moving or amusing, Chaos Theory suffers first and foremost from featuring the least engaging couple to headline a movie in some time.

comment Comment
04/11/08
Laura Kern
Laura Kern
New York Times

Dramatically it's neither fish nor fowl, so you can't quite tell if the sandwich is tuna salad or chicken salad.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
04/11/08
Jim Emerson
Jim Emerson
Chicago Sun-Times

A dated, unfunny sex comedy.

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
04/11/08
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

...could have applied more of its titular conceit to its structure - the film isn't clever enough working Allen's principles into his love life...

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
04/11/08
Laura Clifford
Laura Clifford
Reeling Reviews

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

Sometimes, Hollywood producers are too myopic to recognize a winner even when they made it.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment 1 Comment
04/11/08
Ruthe Stein
Ruthe Stein
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Reynolds is more than likable in the lead.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
04/11/08
Steven Rea
Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer

Although Chaos Theory is being marketed as a comedy, the film is a dangerously unstable mix of hilarity and knotty earnestness; too severe even to be called a dark comedy but too funny to be dubbed a melodrama.

Full Review Source: BrandonFibbs.com | comment Comment
04/11/08
Brandon Fibbs
Brandon Fibbs
BrandonFibbs.com

... one might expect a little runaway energy or a dash of wild spirit under the antics, but there's little punchy anarchy in this controlled experiment.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
04/10/08
Sean Axmaker
Sean Axmaker
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

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

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

No doubt there's a minute audience who wants to walk out of a Ryan Reynolds movie contemplating the vagaries of life. The rest of us would have settled for a few more laughs.

Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
04/10/08
Liam Lacey
Liam Lacey
Globe and Mail
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The script for Chaos Theory must have been wrapped in Kevlar -- it's the only way to explain why it wasn't shot down at the pitch meeting.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Daily News | comment Comment
04/10/08
Gary Thompson
Gary Thompson
Philadelphia Daily News

Chaos Theory shows just how crucial casting can be to a movie, especially something as sensitive to nuance, idiosyncrasy and timing as a romantic comedy.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment 1 Comment
04/10/08
Desson Thomson
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
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