Surprisingly deep sci-fi

Rating: 9/10 (19 April 2020)

'The Butterfly Effect' may not be remembered as one of the all-time great science fiction films - probably because it's (a) not an epic blockbuster with wall-to-wall action (b) limited star power and (c) contains a bit of a mind-bending plot that isn't necessarily as easy to follow as some of the other sci-fi films that deal with time travel. Therefore, I guess it was always destined for more of a 'niche' audience. Luckily, it's developed a reasonable cult status - and deservedly so.
Normally, when I write a review I tend to use the second paragraph to give a brief summary of the film. However, I really do think that if I say too much I may give away a 'spoiler' that may well ruin your enjoyment of the film. You could say it's a love story which involves time travelling and one man's (Ashton Kutcher) attempts to right various wrongs of the past - and the consequences which messing with time brings about.
Obviously, it's science fiction, but not overly so. There are no trips to space age futures or flying cars and a fair proportion of the 'whys' of how time travel is possible isn't really explained. You just have to go with it. If someone walked in halfway through the film they could be forgiven for thinking it was a 'teen love story,' but just because a relationship between Ashton Kutcher and Amy Smart is paramount to the overall narrative, don't think it's a 'date movie' or will ever get too soppy for a guy's taste. In fact - quite the opposite - it's pretty damn dark!
I know that Kutcher has a bit of a reputation for more goofy comedic roles, but here he plays it straight well and it's a pity he didn't take more parts like this as he's quite capable of headlining a film like this, yet these days he's pretty much dropped off the radar (as has Amy Smart!).
It's probably a little longer than your average film, but there's a lot to it and, although much of the marketing for this movie centres on Kutcher and Smart, at least a third is spent in the company of their younger incarnations (who are all nicely believable and not at all annoying as some child actors can be!).
Ignore what you may think of Ashton Kutcher (or 'MR Demi Moore' as he's normally heralded as). He holds the film together and there's definitely chemistry between him and Amy Smart. The plot is never a rollercoaster/action epic - it's far deeper and brings up areas of the genre designed to make you think. Definitely worth a watch when you're in the mood for a deep-dark-dive into time travel (just make sure you get the 'director's cut' - I hear the ending is very different in other versions and not half as good).