Review of The Butterfly Effect (2004) by Kavita N — 23 Jun 2011
Powerful and chilling, this movie ranks up there with other '90s and early '00s greats such as Memento, Being John Malkovitch, Requiem for a Dream, Magnolia, Fight Club, 12 Monkeys, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and the much later Shutter Island, in the way that it bends time, deals with memory, and truly challenges the sanity of its anti-hero.
In this movie among the others I have mentioned, the protagonist completely obliterates himself, similar to 12 Monkeys. Painfully realistic, and well-written much like later crime films like The Departed or Gone Baby Gone, you truly feel the Macabethian tragedy of Ashton Kutcher's character, as like Light Yagami of the popular manga Death Note, each of Evan's attempts to make things "right" only dig him a deeper grave.
His power only precludes the blackouts that would unravel his life. The viewer spends the film wishing Even would leave well enough alone. The film's only detriment was Kutcher's acting. I can see why Kutcher didn't go on to bigger and greater things.
He is not the Brad Pitt of Fight Club and 12 Monkeys. Kutcher's joking character was and still is better suited for romantic comedies. The acting of Amy Smart and Evan's mom carried the film. In the end I cried.
Such a good story can't be replicated. Needless to say, I will not be watching the sequels. May I also add that the ending to the director's cut is completely different and narrative-wise, far more realistic and poignant, in other words superior; if you have a choice do not go for the original.
This review of The Butterfly Effect (2004) was written by Kavita N on 23 Jun 2011.
The Butterfly Effect has generally received positive reviews.
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