Evan is having a troubled childhood. His father is in a mental institution, his friends Kayleigh and Tommy have an abusive father (Eric Stoltz) at home. Tommy is growing increasingly dangerous and aggressive. Moreover, Evan is having serious blackouts where he can’t remember what happened, what he was doing and why. A psychiatrist suggests he keeps a diary as it might help him remember.
As they grow up and Kayleigh and Evan develop feelings for each other and this gets Tommy even more out of control. One day, along with their other friend Lenny, they take a dynamite they find in Kayleigh & Tommy’s father’s house and decide to pull a prank. The prank results in a tragedy that Evan can’t remember. Evan’s mother (Melora Walters) eventually decides to take Evan and move away. Evan promises to come back for Kayleigh.
Years later, Evan (Ashton Kutcher) is a successful psychology major and getting along marvelously with his gothic roommate (Ethan Suplee). Moreover he hasn’t had a blackout in years. But one coincidence gets him to think about what happened all those years ago and he tracks Kayleigh (Amy Smart) down. This ends in another disaster, which Evan will do anything to prevent. After all, he has found a way to go back in time and change things. But every time he changes one thing to help matters, things end up horribly for at least one of them…
This is one complicated, weird and interesting movie. Even though it has some funny moments, it is mostly depressing and dark. But it is also very exciting and thought- provoking. I saw it for the second time last night (the first time was years ago when it hit the theaters) and I realized I wasn’t as hooked as I was before. But it’s because this time I knew each twist and turn. Still, it was interesting to go through the story again.
You can argue a lot of plot holes but I suggest you don’t look for them. Because this movie has sci- fi elements, looking for extreme logic and reality will be pointless. Stay away from this movie at all costs if you want something light and uplifting. But if you want something different, this is what you have been looking for.
Rated 7.8 on IMDB, voted by nearly 100.000 people. I’ll give it a solid 8. It will probably remain as the darkest and most original thing Ashton Kutcher will ever be a part of. I wish he finds more projects like these and less romantic comedies. As much I enjoy good romcoms, they are dime a dozen. The Butterfly Effect? Not so much. Written and directed by Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber. Grown-up Lenny is played by Elden Henson and Tommy by William Lee Scott.
More on Ashton Kutcher
22 Tall Actors From Hollywood