The Butterfly Effect (2004)

Directors:

Eric Bress
J. Mackye Gruber

Writers (WGA):

J. Mackye Gruber (written by) &
Eric Bress (written by)

Release Date:

23 January 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Change one thing, Change everything.

Plot:

A young man blocks out harmful memories of significant events of his life. As he grows up, he finds a way to remember these lost memories and a supernatural way to alter his life.

Plot Keywords:

Blackout | Memory | Flashback | Explosion | Prostitute

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Thur. Sept. 2	5:30 PM	FX
Fri. Sept. 3	8:00 AM	FX

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Ashton Kutcher	...	Evan
Melora Walters	...	Andrea
Amy Smart	...	Kayleigh
Elden Henson	...	Lenny
William Lee Scott	...	Tommy
John Patrick Amedori	...	Evan at 13
Irene Gorovaia	...	Kayleigh at 13
Kevin G. Schmidt	...	Lenny at 13
Jesse James	...	Tommy at 13
Logan Lerman	...	Evan at 7
Sarah Widdows	...	Kayleigh at 7
Jake Kaese	...	Lenny at 7
Cameron Bright	...	Tommy at 7
Eric Stoltz	...	Mr. Miller
Callum Keith Rennie	...	Jason

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, sexual content, language and brief drug use. (also director's cut)

Runtime:

113 min | 120 min (director's cut)

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Malaysia:18SG | Malaysia:U (cut version) | Brazil:14 | South Korea:18 | USA:R (No. 39664) | Canada:18A (Alberta/Manitoba) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Chile:14 | Finland:K-15 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Italy:VM14 | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Philippines:R-13 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:NC-16 (original rating) | Singapore:PG (edited for re-rating) | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | Canada:14A (British Columbia/Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

BenderSpink

Trivia:

Elden Henson shot all of the later "normal" scenes with his character first because he had to gain around twenty pounds in one month for the later timelines in which his character is crazy. He was to look bigger as crazy Lenny and thinner as normal Lenny. To the filmmaker's amazement he accomplished this.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Evan is talking to the prostitute Kayleigh, a red lighter on the table disappears and reappears between shots.

Quotes:

[first lines]
[reading aloud as he writes a note]
Evan:If anyone finds this, it means my plan didn't work and I'm already dead. But if I can somehow go back to the beginning of all of this, I might be able to save her.

Movie Connections:

References The Usual Suspects (1995)

Soundtrack:

Lost

One good turn....

This movie received WAY too many bad reviews. The only reason was to PUNK Ashton Kutcher. Say what you will, Kutcher did a fair to midland acting job here. There have been a lot worse performances on film in much better reviewed movies. I tell you, you will NOT be disappointed watching the Director's cut Alternate ending. It is a story of how one action causes a series of reactions...no matter the intentions, be careful what you wish for. This film's biggest mistake was promoting it in the horror genre. It is NOT! It is a nice dark fantasy film, nothing more, nothing less. There are 2 different endings, with 2 different meanings for me. I preferred the Alternate ending in lieu of the Theatrical ending. A great "popcorn" movie. Don't believe the (bad)Hype!