An under-appreciated film that is worthy of renting

Rating: 8/10 (9 July 2004)

This is a very under-appreciated film that perhaps suffers from a public bias against Ashton Kutcher - i.e. pretty boy on 70's Show, dating Demi, just eye candy, etc. And I admit I let this bias prevent me from seeing the movie in the theaters. However after renting it I am pleasantly surprised. Technically a fine movie, good direction, cinematography, sound, costumes, etc. Kutcher is capable as the lead of a cast of young but recognizable faces. Amy Smart does well as the lead female and love interest and, without giving too much of the story away, plays her various characters well. The time travel premise is given a fresh and somewhat original twist, some of the plot points come close to being unbelievable but only do so to make the point of the severity of the "butterfly effect". Certainly not the best movie of the year, but a nice little movie that may have been missed due to poor marketing (the TV trailers hinted at a "Gothika" type thriller), a slow movie month (January), and the already stated bias against Kutcher.