Chaos Theory

2008

Chaos Theory

Critics Consensus

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

31%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 59

58%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 12,603
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Movie Info

After living his life with clockwork precision, a man throws any and all caution to the wind in this freewheeling comedy drama. Frank Allen (Ryan Reynolds) is a successful motivational speaker and author whose book "The Five-Minute Efficiency Trainer" advises readers that strict organization and avoiding impulsive behavior is the key to success. Frank is married to Susan (Emily Mortimer), who has been his sweetheart since college, but while he's happy, she's beginning to have second thoughts -- she chose to be with Frank rather than his best friend, Buddy (Stuart Townsend), because of his sweet and gentle nature, but his new habit of carefully budgeting every moment of the day has squeezed most of the fun out of their lives. After a quarrel with Susan leaves Frank in a troubled state of mind, he's enthusiastically propositioned by a sexy woman at a self-help seminar (Sarah Chalke), and has to take a pregnant woman (Jocelyne Loewen) to the hospital when he nearly runs her over on the street. Susan learns about Frank's day and comes to the mistaken conclusion that he's been unfaithful to her with both women. Susan leaves him and Frank decides that his hyper-organized life is to blame for the collapse of his marriage. Suddenly, Frank figures it's time to give his id full reign -- he buys a motorcycle, starts fist fights in bars, sleeps with strange women, takes up streaking, and does nearly everything the old Frank would warn him against. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for mature thematic material, sexual content and language)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama
  • Directed By:
    Marcos Siega
  • Written By:
    Daniel Taplitz
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Warner Bros. Pictures

Cast

Ryan Reynolds
as Frank Allen
Emily Mortimer
as Susan Allen
Stuart Townsend
as Buddy Endrow
Sarah Chalke
as Paula Crowe
Chris William Martin
as Damon
Mike Erwin
as Ed
Constance Zimmer
as Peg
Matreya Fedor
as Jesse Allen (7 Years)
Elisabeth Harnois
as Jesse Allen
Christopher Jacot
as Simon
Jovanna Huguet
as Maid of Honor
Alessandro Juliani
as Ken
Lisa Calder
as Sherri
Ty Olsson
as Evil Ferryman
Jocelyne Loewen
as Pregnant Nancy
Patricia Idlette
as Nurse
Denalda Williams
as Head Nurse
David Berner
as Frank's Doctor
Christine Chatelain
as Tracy
Linnea Sharples
as Teacher #1
Simon Chin
as Target of Frank's Attack
Sarah Edmondson
as Tequila Girl
Christina Twidale
as Girl #1 at Bar
Cassandra Brianne Hearle
as Girl #2 at Bar
Kevin Foley
as Flower Delivery Boy
Donavon Stinson
as Nevin
Daryl Shuttleworth
as Officer Fields
Laurie Murdoch
as Judge at Wedding
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Critic Reviews for Chaos Theory

All Critics (59) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (18) | Rotten (41)

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

    Oct 18, 2008

    Dennis Harvey

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • If actor Ryan Reynolds isn't careful, he's going to parlay his good looks and engaging presence into a full-time job as a game-show host.

    Oct 18, 2008 | Rating: 2/4

    John Anderson

    Newsday
    Top Critic

  • Chaos Theory peddles the usual carpe diem movie bunk.

    Apr 24, 2008 | Rating: C | Full Review…

    Gregory Kirschling

    Entertainment Weekly
    Top Critic

  • Chaos Theory lives up, or maybe down, to its title, as it's all over the place.

    Apr 14, 2008

    Richard Roeper

    Ebert & Roeper
    Top Critic

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

    Apr 11, 2008 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Philip Marchand

    Toronto Star
    Top Critic

  • It's swift and watchable enough, and the actors keep things interesting, but ultimately the movie falls short.

    Apr 11, 2008 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Moira MacDonald

    Seattle Times
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (59)

Audience Reviews for Chaos Theory

  • Dec 30, 2010
    It was enjoyable indeed.
    Dead A Super Reviewer
  • Dec 22, 2010
    Chaos Theory is a film about miscalculations and misunderstandings. Ryan Reynolds plays an efficiency expert, Frank Allen whose perfect little life is left spiraling out of control when his wife sets the clock ten minutes later than it really should be. <a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=72rrqx" target="_blank"><img src="http://i51.tinypic.com/72rrqx.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a> This preempts a chain of events that leads to Frank getting into a car accident with a pregnant woman turning his world upside down into utter chaos causing Frank to question his safe, planned out life as he learns some new information that, in effect, reveals to him that much of what he believed about his life is based on false information and so he decides to live his life based on chance from that moment on. <a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=33y3vnt" target="_blank"><img src="http://i53.tinypic.com/33y3vnt.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>
    Deb S Super Reviewer
  • Aug 15, 2010
    This was a sort of romantic comedy.. and with that in mind it was actually a pretty good movie and general light entertainment.
    Angela A Super Reviewer
  • Jan 17, 2010
    Ryan Reynolds is yet again back with a romantic flick & what's so different this time? This time, not only he gives us a sweet romantic feeling, but also makes you giggle & emotional. Frank(Ryan) is an obsessively organized efficiency expert whose life unravels in various unpredictable ways when fate forces him to discover various nature of love, decision & forgiving. It's very funny to see when an innocent man falls in various trouble & everything goes chaos when the confusion is created. The movie starts off with a fresh style which promises to offer the viewers something different. And the movie goes with it. It does offers viewers something pretty different than rest of the romantic cinema. Also, the movie not only has romance in it, but also has various comic parts & also the parts which touches your heart. The first half of the film surely deals with confusion & further making the movie humorous. But as the movie moves on, it changes it's track & it slowly starts flowing directly into your heart. But unlike other such movies, the movie would be liked because of its touchy moments. Generally other such movies has its good moments within its humorous part, but here, the situation is different. The first half of the movie is good & so is the second half(in fact better). Ryan is perfect for the role, he is terrific in funny moments, as well as the emotional ones. Emily Mortimer was okay & the same goes for Stuart Townsend. Marcos Siega does a fine movie with a balanced amount of comic & emotional moments. A perfect romantic movie, which does makes you laugh, cry & feel good. A beautiful experience.
    Abhilash S Super Reviewer
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