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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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41 - 55 (sorted by date)
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Of the many facile ironies at play in Chaos Theory, the title may be the biggest: How can a movie so stuffed with writerly contrivances call itself Chaos Theory?

Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
04/10/08
Scott Tobias
Scott Tobias
AV Club

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

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

Befitting its title, rather a mess...You can describe it as an unfunny dark comedy or a bathetic family drama, but in reality it's both.

Full Review Source: One Guy's Opinion | comment Comment
04/10/08
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

...has more ludicrous plot developments than an entire season of soap opera, which would be OK if this were a farce.

Full Review Source: LarsenOnFilm | comment Comment
04/10/08
Josh Larsen
Josh Larsen
LarsenOnFilm

What emerges is a short movie that feels too long, a heartfelt drama too playful to be sincere, and a narrative touching on adult themes but sabotaged by schematic false notes.

Full Review Source: Time Out New York | comment Comment
04/10/08
Stephen Garrett
Stephen Garrett
Time Out New York

Reynolds, called to 180 from anal nebbish to feral beast, is beautifully committed, but he gets no help on the other side of the camera.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
04/08/08
Nick Pinkerton
Nick Pinkerton
Village Voice

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

The premise is intriguing, but this intended satire never finds a convincing comedic footing.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
04/07/08
Michael Rechtshaffen
Michael Rechtshaffen
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

A bogus and unconvincing narrative that pretends to deal with real human issues like betrayal and paternity.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
04/03/08
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

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

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

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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