COLUMN: Don’t get stuck in ‘Stuck on You,’ try ‘Butterfly’
“The Butterfly Effect”
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“I only wish I could go back and do something different, then all this wouldn’t be so bad.”
It seems to be a common dream and an even more common movie premise. However, I have never seen it used more potently than it was in “The Butterfly Effect.”
Ashton Kutcher stars in this astounding, thought-provoking film playing Evan, a young man suffering from frequent blackouts and sublimated memories. Having suppressed particularly horrific and poignant parts of his childhood, Evan struggles to reclaim his unknown past.
This strange, yet familiar story will engage you from the opening scene and clutch you in its grasp until the powerful conclusion. I would recommend this highly to psychology majors as it offers immense insight into the inner workings of the human mind.
Evan soon finds it possible to take himself into a hypnotic state and relive a shadow of what has already been. A question comes upon him that if he can truly be in the past; perhaps he could have influence over the present.
The Chaos Theory states that maybe something as small as the flit of a butterfly’s wings could cause a monsoon on the other side of the world.
As an avid fan of a movie that will leave me thinking, I thoroughly enjoyed the winding journey of “The Butterfly Effect” and the questions it caused me to ponder. It is a film that sits just left of realism and will certainly deposit inquiries into your mind.
Putting on the hat of a cinematic critic, I saw some beautiful camera work with intense angles and a certain omniscient feeling that works extremely well. Along with the visuals, one aspect of this movie that stuck out to me was the sound. At some points it is the loud bass thumps and stunning stereo surround that greatly increase the eerie feeling. For this reason “Butterfly” is worth seeing at a well-equipped theater.
Kutcher exceeds expectations and performs this psychologically troubled individual very well. His credibility as an actor has significantly risen in my eyes. While I thought it would be difficult to take him seriously in a role like this, he proved me wrong. (The beard changes his boyish appearance just enough.) He is helped along by a strong supporting cast of young actors including: Amy Smart (“Road Trip”), Eldon Henson (“The Mighty”), and Ethan Suplee (“Remember the Titans”). The only downside to the casting is the children (portraying the main characters in the flashback sequences) who merely suffice and nothing more.
“The Butterfly Effect” is the psychological thriller at its best. With its strong storyline and aesthetic greatness it is sure to make an impact, all this holding true, it is rated “R” for a reason. It is littered with colorful language and had disturbing images that are probably not for the faint-of-heart. Nonetheless, this film will force you to wonder what kind of effects your seemingly insignificant decisions can make.
Adam Kirschman is a junior majoring in pre-med. Comments can be sent to adamk@cc.usu.edu