Release Date: March 14, 2008 Studio: Warner Independent MPAA Rating: PG-13 Genre: Romantic •
Comedy •
Drama Director: Marcos Siega Writers: Daniel Taplitz Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Emily Mortimer, Stuart Townsend, Elisabeth Harnois 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, 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 and designed to contribute to a well-ordered, predictable life.
But life, as he soon learns, never adheres to a strict schedule. The Review: "Better living through Chaos". Words I try to live by. It might surprise most people to learn that I used to enjoy making lists, organizing my time, and was obsessively punctual. Oh it's true,I assure you. It’s also true that I use to slam my head against the wall because no matter what I did to keep plans on the rails someone or something would always screw it up. I was in a rut of limitless proportions. Same old bullshit day in and day out, same girlfriend, same fights, and same pattern of breaking up and making up. Then one day (after a night of boozing of course) I took that left turn at Alberque instead of going right as always. Instead of making that call to patch things up I called this other girl who I had my eye on but failed to pursue. The ensuing chaos changed my life forever. Sure it took years to shake some of the other habits of efficiency (mind you I should have kept a few of them) but I found love in the unknown...better living through chaos.
That said, perhaps this is why I found myself fond of Frank (Ryan Reynolds) early on in this movie. I knew where his head was at and could relate to the breakdown going on in his efficient little world. Fact is, the world is ripe with randomness that can strike on a whim, and no matter what you do, the people around you can and will do that one thing you never thought to add into your calculations and turn your whole world upside down.
There are scenes in this movie where you can see the floor just drop out from under the characters, dreams crushed, relationships altered forever, deceit uncovered, rage unleashed. All sandwiched between hilarious moments of Frank’s ultimate breakdown and rebirth into a bringer of chaos. While some of it is woefully sitcom predictable it comes off well, and doesn't kill the momentum or fun.
While the movie is genuinely funny, it packs plenty of emotional wallops as well; it takes an actor like Reynolds to pull off a role such as this one, for as much fun as it is to watch him be silly and goofy he can turn right around and punch you in the emotional gut. Since it's award season and I’m championing Ryan here at all I just want to say that I really hope he never comes to the conclusion that he needs to win an Oscar. Chasing that little gold man has screwed up so many gifted people....remember when Robin Williams used to be really funny? How about Jim Carrey? Bill Murray anyone? All very funny people who also excel at drama, and yet all of them seem to get lost now on what made us love them in the first place. Sure, they can still be funny, but it seems more and more they just chase roles trying to catch that award winning lightening in a bottle.
For as much as they put together a good supporting cast, I'm not going to waste time (there I go being efficient again) talking about them; this is Frank's story and it's one he needs to impart on his would be son in-law to cure a case of cold feet and save his daughters love. He's a man who's been through the gates of hell and back for love and somehow came out a better man on the other side. When we first see Frank he's the older and wiser version, but a moment later we get introduced to the younger more intense Frank and the difference isn't so much night and day, as just different days of the week. Here's a guy so uptight he really could make diamonds in his arse...and do it on a schedule. What you might not catch is the random chain of events that begin his journey six years earlier. When he's done with his story, we go back to the older Frank; it's now easier to see the subtle changes in him, he's still sort of uptight but there's a glint in his eyes now of chaos. Something akin to a changed beast in red socks.
I think the one downside to this movie may turn out to be the marketing (once it starts); they could easily advertise this as a romantic comedy or even a drama, but both interpretations would be off. It's a drama-rom-com so just be prepared for it and enjoy it.
Better storytelling through chaos. Few movies can drive the line between serious comedy and depressing drama, it’s a rough road and people are fickle when it comes to complex stories and genre switching. This is a film that holds up to the tradition of movies like The Philadelphia Story and they should be proud of it.
Put Chaos Theory on your list of things to do. Rating:
