Customer Reviews

Chaos Theory

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This film contains several great twists and displays a truly talented side of Ryan Reynolds in which I would like to see more of. The soundtrack was excellent, paring the right music at the right moment and pulling you into the character's anguish. The only thing keeping me from giving this film five stars was the beginning of the movie. It didn't hook me until about 25 minutes in, and then I wished it didn't end. The supporting cast was excellent, and Reynolds' character brings an appropriate amount of comic relief mixed with his unraveling.

My husband and I stumbled onto this movie by happenstance, and we weren't sure what we were in for. This movie is one of our favorites now. I was pleased to find it for a reasonable price online. None of the stores in our area had it in stock. Chaos Theory has a good mix of humor--that isn't all slapstick--and a decent story to follow. All in all, it's a good flick to watch on a date night or with friends, and it's one worth watching again.

Synopsis: Frank Allen (Ryan Reynolds) thinks he's figured out the perfect system for a happy, organized life. The secret is making lists, the more specific the better. His list making abilities have been so successful he makes a living teaching business seminars the profitability of list making.

Yes things are almost too perfect for the handsome, intelligent and successful husband and Father. That is until Frank's life takes a chaotic turn for the worse and he is faced with events that cannot be solved by writing them down on a piece of paper. There's only one solution, a new paradigm must be adapted if he is to survive what lies ahead; the Chaos Theory.

Critique: You're always off to a good start in any film when you have the likes of Ryan Reynolds in the starring role. Another big plus for the '07 dark comedy romance `Chaos Theory' is the presence of the talented Emily Mortimer as Reynolds wife Susan.

If you're like me you just might be surprised early on in this film that it isn't quite what you expected. If that's the case fight the urge to tune out and stay focused, there's really a lot going on in this film if you give it a chance. The dialogue is sharp and insightful, the message contemporary and Reynolds and Mortimer's performances excellent. Well worth a watch or two.

This movie is definitely a dark comedy -- as some of the other reviews reveal, Ryan Reynold's character has everything go miserably wrong in his life. The irony is that he is an efficiency expert and, prior to this series of events, had an inordinately structured and "perfect" existence. When it shatters apart, he begins doing the some of the risky behavior he once condemned (driving a Harley with no helmet) and smoking. You can feel the tension because his actions go against his personality. Throughout, Reynolds is very convincing in dramatizing the stress and anxiety.

Just watching the film, I could not help but feel very empathetic toward Reynold's character. To me, it isn't really all that "laugh-out-loud" funny. Rather, it is more of a sense of shock that the poor guy has been devastated so badly and deeply.

While I normally don't like this kind of movie, I felt it was strangely compelling and well done for what it is. Just don't watch this for some light-hearted laughs.

I'm a Ryan Reynolds fan but in this movie his talent shines. He not only displays a wide range of emotions but must also portray various ages. The hair styles and makeup helps to show the different ages but his mannerisms just takes it over the top. The plot summary describes the main character as "an obsessively organized efficiency expert". This sounds like a nerd which is visually supported by the DVD cover where he is wearing horn-rimmed glasses. The movies I've seen him in he is far from that thus causing my need to see the movie! The plot is clever and the supporting actors are excellent as well.

Timid Frank (Ryan Reynolds) is an 1) efficiency expert, 2) devoted husband and father, and 3) a compulsive list-maker and follower.

One morning, Frank's wife (Emily Mortimer) causes Frank to be late in catching his ferry. And then the butterfly wing flapping in Asia causes a tornado to occur in Oklahoma.

I don't want to give anything away, but a cascade of events changes Frank forever. He learns about himself, his daughter's parentage, his best friend's history, and more.

Ryan Reynolds is well cast as a well-meaning but excitement-shunning man. When he comes out of his shell, it is a tempered but determined emergence, which gives the plot more credibility.

Chaos Theory was fun to watch. Make sure you go beyond the "5-minute" test... you'll need at least 15 minutes to catch this wave.

I remember a couple of summers ago, being so bored and looking on the Amazon Instant Movies pages only to find one of my all-time favorite, laugh out loud, screwball, dark--dark comedies--This one takes the 'Tangerini'. Ryan Reynolds (who is now one of the greats in comedic performances) is Frank Allen. Could I dare suggest that this may be as much a study in OCD as in complete Chaos and disruption?! I could not stop laughing to catch my breath, still can't and know just about all the lines in here and when they're coming, it's just that funny and deep. Add the wonderful, adorable Emily Mortimer (Susan Allen) to the marriage of cataclysmic proportion. I couldn't even begin to write of all the twists, turns and change-ups this movie throws toward you--too many.

Ok, Ok--This picture starts out with a much older, wiser and 'Cynical' Frank telling his future son-in-law about marriage and how messed up it really is, and how messed up he will be if he isn't completely wonderful to his daughter-Ha! Frank has always been and is a man of lists, keeping sharp lists to stay organized with time, options, virtually everything that is to be done--obsessed. He has them in every pocket, and writes continuously on them, checking off as he goes. This is how he conducts his life, his marriage to Susan (who basically laughs it off half the time) and his job as a Motitivational Speaker on listing, time constraint and punctuality, really anything to 'correctly' keep your life organized.

Through explaining in the 'Frank Allen correct way' to his almost son-in-law, we go back in time to his beginning with Susan and the crazy way 'she' decided to marry him, as she told him after college on New Year's Eve with all their friends there, that "He was always the one". The movie quickly shifts to comfortable married life with his young daughter having breakfast, as Frank gets his lists out for the day of his "Efficiency Seminar". Susan innocently enough has set the clock ahead 10 little minutes to see a bit more of her husband--but, oops, she mistakenly set it behind. When Frank realizes the mistake his whole life begins to unravel--He is late for work, panic! He speeds off to the ferry and misses it by about a few seconds because the operator there will not board him, just for spite. Frank arrives to his own "Efficiency Seminar" late himself and he is Aghast. While up at the podium in shame, in enters Sarah Chalke (of television's "Scrubs')as Paula Crowe to hear the seminar by order of her boss. She immediately takes a shine to Frank.

After the seminar his best friend Buddy (who had/has a massive crush on his wife in college and wanted her himself although he is a womanizer and not Susan's type) joins him at the hotel's bar and quickly leaves for some women down the row. Paula deftly takes Buddy's seat while the two start drinking too much, making silly lists and slamming down 'Tangerini's'--she pulls a fast one on Frank to get into his hotel room to seduce him and he's utterly terrified of her. He gets the heck out of there (after much hilarity ensues) but she remains in the room while the phone begins to ring 'again', with Susan on the line once more, this time she answers it and Susan is MAD. As Frank is tearing home to explain to Susan what is going on, he is hit by a car complete with a woman driving in full labor with an obvious need to get to the hospital fast. Frank obliges her against his better judgement of Susan's wrath. Arriving at the hospital they wisk her off assuming him the father to fill out the paperwork, leaving name and phone number behind after he leaves. The hospital staff calls Susan to tell her Frank left his baby there along without his insurance information! Now Susan is Aghast when Frank walks through the door...

A monumental fight of pure confusion for both Frank and Susan ensues, propelling Susan to demand a DNA test on the baby after she throws him out and he is living in a cheesy motel room. Frank sees his own Dr. for a DNA test also for proof, and gets "proof positive" that in no way, shape or form, could he be the father---because he has been Infertile Since Birth!!! And all this happens in about the first 20 minutes of the movie.

That is only the set-up of this hilarious movie. Ryan Reynolds is in rare form here, fast talking, speed writing, trying to pick up women, flying down the road on a Harley Davidson motorcycle, streaking, wanting to kill people and completely losing his marbles (for good reason)---along with Susan and "his little daughter?" involved in all kinds of craziness of their own while they are living apart. This movie is serious lunacy and aptly titled "Chaos Theory". Don't miss this if you're a fan of Reynolds or just a fan of dark and light comedy with a real human feel--gone mad. Complete lunatic fringe for your collection to watch over and over again, although don't get me all wrong here and think that this movie is only comedic, it contains many heart-felt personal issues.

I really liked this movie because it is an interesting way to see one's entire life as a series of comedic events. Ryan Reynolds plays efficiency expert, kind of person who cannot live without organizers, priority lists and carefully scheduled events. One morning, his wife plays a practical joke on him, that causes a series of events neither one of them could have possibly anticipated. From mild misunderstanding to major discoveries, their entire married life suddenly start getting a whole new dimension to it. What is a couple to do when they both suddenly realize that their life together has never been what it seems?

Frank Allen (Ryan Reynolds) is about to give away his daughter Jesse in marriage. Before he does, however, the anal, overly organized father feels he must impart some words of wisdom to his soon-to-be son-in-law, Ed (Mike Erwin).

Frank's wisdom plays out over the course of the movie Chaos Theory as he shares a dramatic tale of the ups and downs of his own marriage experience. As the story begins, Frank and his buddy, Buddy (Stuart Townsend) are fighting over the same girl, Susan Allen (Emily Mortimer). Susan chooses to be with Frank and the two get married and have a daughter. Jesse is seven at the beginning of the movie.

When Frank leaves for a lecture, his highly structured existence is screwed up when Susan intends to set the clock ahead 10 minutes as a joke, but instead sets it behind. Frank ends up late for a lecture about time management. Following the lecture, Frank is approached by the beautiful Paula Crowe (Sarah Chalke), who was at the lecture. After several drinks and seductive compliments, Paula works her way into Frank's room. Susan calls to check in and Frank immediately runs out to return home.

On his way home, Frank (driving drunk) runs a pregnant woman off the road. Although attempting to do a good deed by helping her to the hospital, Frank actually sets off a chain reaction of events that lead to tale of love, forgiveness, and chaos. This move is extremely thoughtful and charming. Reynolds is one of our favorite actors and is brilliant as he portrays his character during multiple points in his life. Emily Mortimer is also excellent in her role as the sought after leading lady, wife, and mother. Her emotional acting is excellent. This story is a good romantic comedy that should not scare guys away, as it offers some very `manly' comedic relief.

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I've never really liked any of Ryna Reynolds' work just because it has been very immature and doesn't really show his talent, but this movie definitely brought out the best in him.

The movie itself is a great story that brings out a lot of emotion in you. I would highly recommend you buy it, especially since it is so cheap now.