CHAOS THEORY

US, 2008, 87 minutes, Colour.
Ryan Reynolds, Emily Mortimer, Stuart Townsend, Sarah Chalke, Matreya Fedor.
Directed by Marcos Siega.

Chaos Theory is a surprisingly interesting and entertaining film. While it refers to chaos theory, that is on the periphery in terms of an intellectual support for what happens during the film. Rather, it focuses on a man who tends to be obsessive with detail and order, giving lectures on the theme, guiding his life by writing lists and making points on cards which he uses to choose options.

He is portrayed by Ryan Reynolds, whose earlier career was in rather raucous comedies but who later developed a flair for doing romantic comedies, Definitely Maybe, The Proposal. He is supported by Emily Mortimer, British actress, as his wife. Irish Stuart Townsend is his best friend.

The film opens with Reynolds giving advice to his prospective son-in-law, most of the film being a flashback to the crisis he had with his own wife and the identity of the father of his child. Ryan Reynolds is particularly good both at the comic material as well as the pathos and some depth of feeling in his personal crisis.

1. The title? The theory of chaos theory? As relevant for this film?

2. The settings, the wedding, the city, offices, lectures, homes? The countryside? Hospitals? The musical score?

3. The framework of the film, Frank Allen in middle age, his concern about his daughter’s marriage, talking to his prospective son-in-law, using the cards to get him to have a talk. The word ‘talk’ on both cards? The ending and the wedding, his wishing the young man well, united with his wife? A happy ending?

4. The flashback, the crisis in Frank Allen’s life?

5. His remembering the New Year’s Eve, his shyness, his group of friends, especially Buddy? Susan and her place with the group? The New Year jokes and questions? Susan kissing Frank?

6. The transition to eight years of marriage? His being orderly, his cards, Susan tolerant, her changing the clock and making the mistake? The beginning of chaos for Frank? His not being allowed on the ferry – and his later revenge by fighting the man outside the bar? His lecture? Paula and her advances on him, in the room, the phone calls, Susan’s jealousy? His resisting Paula, leaving?

7. The encounter on the road, the crash, the pregnant woman? Getting her to the hospital, her panic, signing the documents? The implication that he was the father? The woman leaving the hospital? The phone calls, Susan’s reaction, anger, refusal to communicate with Frank?

8. Frank’s desperation, his puzzlement? His list of things to do to reconcile with Susan? Their failure? His decision to change his whole life, talking with his friends? His wanting the DNA test? The results of the test, his sterility, the puzzle about Jessie? The background of his being a good father, the scenes with Jessie, writing their wishes on the moist window?

9. His despair, contemplating suicide? Trying to get the truth from Susan? Her refusal? Her wanting to reconcile?

10. Buddy, the man about town, with the women in the bar? The contrast with Frank? The fact that he was the father? Susan and the discovery, the one-night stand with Buddy? Buddy and his concern about Frank? Susan wanting him to find Frank?

11. At the country house, going on the lake, Frank and his buying the rifle? Buddy thinking Frank wanted to kill himself? The issue of murder? The shot, the sinking of the boat, their going onshore, their talk? Buddy returning to the house? Frank eventually returning?

12. The reconciliation, Susan and her love, her persuading him that he loved Jessie? Looking at her in the window?

13. The happy ending – and the wise advice for the young man to marry Jessie?