A Little Chaos2015
A Little Chaos (2015)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Stylish and well-acted without ever living up to its dramatic potential, A Little Chaos is shouldered by the impressive efforts of a talented cast.
A Little Chaos Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Madame de Barra
as Andre Le Notre
as Louis XIV
as Philippe
as Madame Le Notre
as Madame De Montespan
as Louis Alexander
as Francoise Marie
as Louise Francoise
as Philippe
as Queen Marie Therese
as Royal Nurse
as Claude Moulin
as Louise
as Thierry Duras
as Daniel LeVeille
as Jean Risse
as Monsieur Mauve
as Luc
as Sualem
as DeVille
as Helene
as Antoine Lauzun
as Vincent
as Marquis Du Vasse
as Princess Palatine
as Louveciennes Foreman
as Marie-Claire
as Monsieur De La Quintinie
as Anne
as Messenger On Horseback
as Ariane
as Christine
as Francoise
as Suzanne
as Jean
as First Musician
as Sophie
as Second Musician
as Monsieur De Barra
as Duras' Son
News & Interviews for A Little Chaos
Critic Reviews for A Little Chaos
All Critics (87) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (39) | Rotten (48)
True French historians should simply relax and enjoy a film that takes us on a beautifully photographed cinematic romp into a past as it likely SHOULD have been.
"A Little Chaos" wants us to be fascinated by a feminist who never was, then undermines her by casting an approving eye on the steamy affair she begins with her boss.
It's difficult to conjure... excitement for a mess like "A Little Chaos," a lazy and off-puttingly anachronistic feminist fantasy about an 18th-century female landscape designer who finds love while creating... one of the grandest spaces in Versailles.
Mr. Rickman has found in the Sun King a character worthy of his imperious, reptilian charisma.
The story comes to life only fitfully, even with - or perhaps because of - its court intrigue and supporting characters both hissable (Helen McCrory as André's wife) and flamboyant (Stanley Tucci as the king's bisexual brother).
A very little chaos, and more's the pity.
Audience Reviews for A Little Chaos
Perhaps Alan Rickman's swan song, perhaps a graceful exit orchestrated by an artist for whom the time was nearly up, this labor of love (or ego, it's hard to say) is about the work put in to produce a work of art. Yes, there's also a romance, and yes, there's also some little intrigue in the court of the Sun King, but the major focus is that of an artist (or artists) creating art - it's no bed of roses. The collaborators are earnest, and the work is finally delightful. And adieu, sweet Prince, adieu.
Super Reviewer
A terrific cast, headlined by Kate Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts, Alan Rickman (who also co-wrote and directed), and Stanley Tucci brings the court of King Louis XIV to life in this tale of one of the people who designed and helped to build the magnificent gardens of the Palace Versailles. A landscape designer out of necessity, Madame Sabine de Barra disdains order in her designs and therefore catches the interest of the man charged with the overall plan of the garden and is hired to create the outdoor ballroom in a natural amphitheater setting in the midst of the garden. She struggles with the protocols and intrigues of the palace and yet, through her grace and natural charms comes to the attention of the KIng. There are deep emotions pulling at Madame de Barre brought about by a family tragedy that she blames herself for. And it is this trauma that provides the underpinning tension of the film. Kate is as lovely as ever, and it is a joy to watch her ply her craft. Alan Rickman is quietly subdued as the monarch whose every whim is ready to be indulged by the sycophants around him, especially when personal tragedy visits the royal house. The scene between the king and Madame de Barra, when she mistakes him for the royal gardener, is the pivot point on which the film turns and it was beautifully done. Stanley Tucci was marvelous in a smaller, but no less important role. The photography was sumptuous. So many beautiful scenes, and the judicious use of close focus was extraordinarily well done.
Super Reviewer
Sumptuous costumes, beautiful locations, and a near-minimalist sound track put in exquisite juxtaposition to a baroque setting are not enough to save this humdrum romance from settling into dullness. Winslet is good, but Schoenaerts looks and comes across like Vladimir Putin at a costume ball. Rickman doesn't quite fit into the elegant surroundings and at times seems like a sovereign lacking confidence for no apparent reason. Methinks the French revolution might have come sooner had The Sun King been as flimsy as Rickman portrays him. The lack of impactful performances may have been influenced by a too-subtle script that the actors simply weren't able to pick up on. There are fine aspects to this film, but it's really not a crowd pleaser.
Super Reviewer
A Little Chaos Quotes
| Madame De Montespan: | Her kindness . . . unbribed. |
| Suzanne: | I lost my husband and my son on the battlefield . . . I'm barely here. |
| Madame de Barra: | Today you said I was reckless but to be reckless is to abandon safety; but I think maybe it is safety that has abandoned me. |