Support for Ashton

Rating: 9/10 (20 April 2004)

I've become increasingly frustrated in reading reviews for this movie, and now that I have seen the film, have become even more angry at the vicious and seemingly completely unjustified attack that has been directed at Ashton Kutcher, the star of this film. It seems that the ever-fickle and hypocritical media have decided to hop on the band-wagon that someone cruel started and make all their reviews centred around how terrible and unbelievable Ashton Kutcher is as Evan Treborn. Well, after seeing the film, I wonder why it is that some actors and actresses can't get a break. Ashton is UTTERLY believable in this film, whether serious, upset, confused or comical. Sure, it is occasionally hard to watch him and not think of Kelso, but I certainly don't think his performance in this film was at all bad. Overall, the film was engaging and enthralling and exciting to watch, helped I'm sure by the strong leading man. All I can say is I hope that the film-going public will break through the b-shit out there and see Ashton for what he is - a very talented actor and a charming and honest lead man. I highly recommend this film, but not as a comedy horror, as it has been tagged. It's part sci-fi, part thriller, part drama, part violence and part romance. It has something for everyone, but I would say if you're not the type to let the logic slip a bit, it would probably be all a little unbelievable. One thing I would fault the film on is its chemistry between Ashton and Amy Smart...in that there is none. I believed that the characters, especially Evan, truly cared about one another. But as for any kind of spark - it all felt very mis-cast. Still, it was the first film since Donnie Darko that made me go 'Hmmm...so this meant that meant...huh?!'. And leave Ashton alone! The Butterfly Effect, for me and I'm sure a lot of other people, proves that Ashton is ready for the big-time.