The theory referenced in the title of "The Butterfly Effect" is the one that says even tiny events can have a profound impact
on the course of humanity, like a butterfly flapping its wings in Japan causing Paris Hilton to contract a venereal disease in New York, or whatever. One wonders about Ashton Kutcher, he of "Punk'd" and "That '70s Show" and Demi Moore's boudoir, and what event on the other side of the globe may have caused him to think he could do drama. I don't blame him for considering the idea, for surely he has seen the success other goofy actors have had when they got serious and started emoting. I mean, did you see the raves Adam Sandler got for "Punch-Drunk Love" ?! It pains me to say it, but Sandler apparently has more talent for drama -- or was guided by a better director -- than Kutcher. For while "The Butterfly Effect" nimbly walks the line between absurdity and suspense for a while, it is Kutcher's hammy, amateurish (hammateurish?) performance that ultimately knocks it over the edge.
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