Disturbing, but incredibly well done

Rating: 8/10 (24 January 2004)

There one was a director named Richard Kelly who made a little film called "Donnie Darko". If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. But I was intrigued when I saw this film's premise, and heard comparisons to Kelly's film.
I was also interested to see if the great and overexposed comedian Ashton Kutcher pull off a dramatic role. I was not disappointed.
Kutcher gives an impressive turn as a disturbed college student who can inexplicably travel back in time to reshape his existence.

This film offers an interesting perspective into how events in our lives shape who we are. It demands that each member of the audience look into his own past to find the events that spawn the difference between the person you are, and the person you could be. It also makes you look at the effect you've had on others along the way.
It is not a happy tale; indeed, it is thoroughly disturbing at times. The ending, although only mildly unexpected, should leave the audience satisfied.
Amy Smart, Ethan Suplee, William Lee Scott, and Elden Henson similarly have impressive performances, sometimes being forced to play very different versions of themselves.
Not a film to perk you up, but certainly a satisfying experience, "The Butterfly Effect" gets an 8/10.