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The Butterfly Effect
2004
Playing God has its consequences, which is the theme of the tricky time-travel shockfest THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT. J. Mackye Gruber and Eric Bress, who share writing and directing credits, make a splash with a gripping script that never fails to throw twists and loops into the plot. Both thematically and visually, the film is .. Read more
| Starring | Ashton Kutcher, Melora Walters, Amy Smart, Elden Henson |
|---|---|
| Director | Eric Bress, J. Mackye Gruber, John R. Leonetti |
| Genres | Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
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The Butterfly Effect
Playing God has its consequences, which is the theme of the tricky time-travel shockfest THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT. J. Mackye Gruber and Eric Bress, who share writing and directing credits, make a splash with a gripping script that never fails to throw twists and loops into the plot. Both thematically and visually, the film is similar to the perfect commercial filmmaking in the team's script for FINAL DESTINATION II.
Here, Evan Trehorn (Ashton Kutcher) is a college student who has suffered from blackouts and memory loss since he was a child. Tormented by deeply repressed childhood memories, he has visions of his best friend and first love Kayleigh (Amy Smart) as a child (Irene Gorovaia) whose Dad (Eric Stoltz) is a child molester, and whose brother Tommy has a serious sadistic streak. In search of greater clarity, Evan pores over his journals and is physically transported back in time where he is still a young boy (John P. Amedori) and has the ability to change what happened. But soon he realises that changing history has caused calamitous results elsewhere. A mesmerising thriller with a dark underlying mystery, THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT is delightfully chilling.
| Starring | Ashton Kutcher, Melora Walters, Amy Smart, Elden Henson, William Lee Scott, Eric Stoltz, Callum Keith Rennie, Ethan Suplee, Eric Lively, Erica Durance, JR Bourne, Gina Holden, Chris Carmack, Rachel Miner |
|---|---|
| Director | Eric Bress, J. Mackye Gruber, John R. Leonetti |
| Studio | ICON HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 53 mins Blu-ray: 4 hrs 54 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 13 Sep 2004 Blu-ray: 14 Sep 2009 Production year: 2004 |
| Format | DVD |
The Butterfly Effect (2004)
Or you can rent each disc individually:
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Sign up Butterfly Effect 1 and 2 - BLU-RAY Version
The Butterfly Effect: A young man struggling to access sublimated childhood memories finds a technique that al...
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Sam's ability has been both a blessing and curse, he can help the police solve crimes, but can make no move to...
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Critics' reviews (5)
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Just Married and Dude, Where's My Car? goofball Ashton Kutcher takes on a more serious role in this ambitious supernatural thriller. Written and directed by Final Destination 2 scribes J Mackye Gruber and Eric Bress, it's based on the idea of chaos theory, which speculates that the smallest of events can have the hugest of consequences. In a plot that feels lifted from The Twilight Zone, Kutcher plays a troubled college student who discovers he has the ability to go back in time and re-write the past. Touching on provocative themes such as child abuse, disability and terminal illness, Gruber and Bress have created a powerful and disturbing tale. Despite being spoilt by a rushed and overly simplistic conclusion, it's surprisingly dark and adult for a Hollywood project. In contrast to his joker reputation, Kutcher delivers a strong and believable performance, though his co-stars, with the exception of a stomach-churningly good Eric Stoltz, are largely unremarkable.
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Structured a little like one of those Russian dolls, with smaller dolls nested in one another, this needlessly complex thriller reveals a succession of its protagonist's differing memories until finally revealing that it is empty inside.
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Most helpful member's review
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138 out of 148 people found this review helpful
Ignore the ridiculously poor reception this film received by critics - this film rocks!
I urge you not to read the above plot of the film - I went to the cinema knowing nothing about the plot, and I'm sure this is the best way to see it.
It is an amazing, well-structured, original take on time travel, with a coherent and interesting plot with very dark overtones.
The only reason this film got such poor reviews on its release was due to its leading actor (I can't remember his name, that 'Dude Wheres My Car' guy) which critics love to hate. I'd never heard of him, but think he did a just fine job in the leading role! Its such a shame that this was generally over-looked at the cinema and such an original film was not rewarded.
I urge you to see this film - you must see it! One of the best time travel films of all time! -
Most recent members' review
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
One of the best screenplays of the year
I've never heard of the guy who plays the lead - but I agree with a lot of the other people here in that I thought he was superb for the part! Totally believable.
This is one of those (very) rare times when a big Hollywood studio actually backs an original, thought provoking and innovative script instead of the usual 'mindless--hire the big stars--follow the formulaic screenplay template--that's bound to bring in millions for us' type movies that they like to churn out like tins of baked beans.
If you are in the mood for an action film - then do not watch this film. Also do not watch this film if you intend on consuming 12 bottles of Stella during the screening (as I can only assume some critics here did when they claimed to be confused over the plot/flashbacks etc.)
However, when you are in the mood for an excellent story which keeps you entertained - whilst stirring up the grey matter as well - give this a try! You will NOT be disappointed.
It's one of those films with several of those wonderful 'A-ha! So THAT was what was going on earlier in the film!' type moments. It all clicks together like a jigsaw.
Thoroughly enjoyable. As others have said before me: best enjoyed without knowing anything about the plot beforehand! (Like most films really...) -
News and features
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Controversial Kidman film gets studio backing
- 29 Jun 2004
Nicole Kidman's latest offering has received studio backing, despite a growing furore. In the film "Birth" Kidman plays a widow who becomes convinced her late husband has been reincarnated and that his spirit dwells in a ten-year-old boy. In a scene dubbed "borderline disgusting" by some critics Kidman strips and bathes with the child. But New Line Cinema boss Mark Ordesky defended the scene stressing that the two do not make physical contact. "The scene was shot over... Read more
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Playing God has its consequences, which is the theme of the tricky time-travel shockfest THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT. J. Mackye Gruber and Eric Bress, who share writing and directing credits, make a splash ... -