Friday, April 11, 2008

Movie review: Chaos Theory

It's a story about Truth. Euphemistically.

By John P. Meyer

Chaos Theory

Frank Allen, 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 deliberately designed to contribute to a well-ordered, predictable life. But life, as he soon learns, never adheres to a strict schedule. Frank's wife, Susan, and seven-year-old daughter, Jesse, find his obsession charming in small doses, but as a steady diet it can be very frustrating. One morning, Susan attempts to loosen her husband's scheduling stranglehold by adding ten minutes to his day. But, by setting the clock backward instead of forward, she inadvertently unleashes a series of mishaps that turn his meticulously ordered life upside down. A belligerent ferryman, a ruthless seductress, a reluctant mother-to-be and the secret amor of his best friend, Buddy, combine to send his life into complete chaos. As his life unravels in several directions simultaneously, however, a stunning family revelation forces Frank to look fate squarely in the eye. Shaken to his core, he starts living entirely "in the moment," allowing him to defy the conventions that have heretofore defined him. Those carefully coordinated index cards that had once kept his life in perfect order now become a deck of chance as Frank scribbles spontaneous ideas on random cards, shuffles, chooses and follows the luck of the draw--with unexpected results. Frank is about to discover that not even an efficiency expert armed with timetables and index cards can change the serendipitous nature of family and friendship, love and forgiveness.

Source: Cinema Source

• Showtimes and more on Chaos Theory

Now, I'm not saying that the sight of Scrubs' Sarah Chalke (playing a "romantically adventurous" character named Paula) in next-to-nothing lingerie, high heels and black stockings was the best thing about the movie Chaos Theory, but it certainly is the thing I remember most. For whatever that's worth.

With his role as the maritally distressed Frank Allen in this movie, taken together with his portrayal of gadabout Will Hayes in the recent release Definitely, Maybe, actor Ryan Reynolds appears in danger of painting himself into a "guy who ends up explaining himself to his young impressionable daughter" typecasting corner. Granted, in this movie he doesn't actually have to explain stuff to his daughter (Matreya Fedor, as Jesse) but rather is forced to come to terms with her in his own mind. Still, the pattern of sensitive-family-man-in-dire-relationship-straits holds.

Frank ends up wedding his sweetheart Susan (Emily Mortimer) because - at least to hear her tell it - the nickname he's bestowed upon his... um... Johnson is the most magnificent of those selected by male acquaintances in the running for her hand. (If you must know, he calls it Truth.) The runner up for her legally sanctioned affections is Frank's friend - and Susan's, of course - Buddy (Stuart Townsend, as a somewhat smarmy and moderately egotistical architect). I don't even remember his selected moniker (that's how *LOSER* it was), but Buddy's not gonna let a little thing like losing a Johnson-naming contest slow him down in the mating department.

"Truth, huh?"

Five years into marriage, Frank has maintained his anal-retentive proclivity for organization, which he takes to such an extreme that he lists out his daily activities on note cards. In fact, he's turned his obsession for planning into a cottage industry, hitting the lecture circuit to recruit others to the Way of the Lister. But following a successful talk at a downtown (Seattle? Vancouver?) hotel, randomness begins to invade his life in a big way. And it all starts with Paula (Ms. Chalke).

While Paula may or may not have actually enjoyed his lecture, she has been paying close attention to Frank from her position in the front row. Like all the other attendees, she's been tasked with attending by her company's management, who consider time management and organization a Good Thing and want to encourage their employees to think (and act) likewise. When she sidles up to Frank at the hotel bar following the talk, she catches him at a weak moment and decides to get organized about managing some of Frank's time: about one night's worth.

Regardless of the fact that Frank ends up taking the high road in terms of this encounter, the phone call his wife places to his motel room - currently occupied by Paula - means that an appearance of shenanigans is firmly established. And - in terms of pants-down appearances - the night is still young.

Please, Buddy, don't pick the card that says "Streak the ice." (D'OH!)

As a result of a surprising piece of personal information delivered by his doctor, Frank embarks on a new path which leads him to become a mad genius of whim. From his headquarters at the Misty Pier Motel (Susan having ejected him from their domicile), Frank finds a new use for his note cards by scribbling down a selection of random activities. He then mixes them up and chooses one - having resolved beforehand to carry out whatever action is written out on the chosen card. It's through this process that he ends up streaking the ice during a hockey game he's attending with Buddy.

Things turn a bit tedious at this juncture, with considerable lovey-dovey hemming and hawing acted out between Susan, Frank and Buddy, leading eventually to a climax of sorts in which Buddy and Frank find themselves alone in a boat on a quiet lake with a shotgun between them. And we're talking the literal firearm, rather than a euphemism.

Leading up to the most memorable scene of the movie. (Well, one of two, anyhow.)

Oh, there is one other scene I remember fondly from the movie, and it's the one where a newly-randomized Frank is Harleying down a deserted highway. Flush with a newfound sense of freedom, he tosses away his helmet and chugs down the road with hands held high, throwing caution to the wind. It's a potent image. (Though I think the one involving Sarah Chalke in nylons and stilletto heels still comes out on top. So to speak.)

AND TRIX ARE FOR KIDS: "Divorce is for married people." - Frank to Jesse, re. her intent to break off relations with a friend

COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE: "He's dressed you as a princess and bought you vermin!" - Susan to Jesse, after she returns from an outing with her dad

SPLIT DECISION?: "I've decided to never decide another thing again." - Frank, post-randomness

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Comments

dabronx Anonymous

He called it, Master of the Universe. It didn't impress that Susan, but sure did impress this one.

1 year, 7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )