How many times in life have you thought that if you could just change one little thing that you did in earlier years your life would be totally different?  How many of us would do that if we had the chance?  I would guess that we all would and that is the premise of this picture.

Evan Treborn (Ashton Kutcher) has been having blackouts since childhood and could never remember what happened while he was out.  Add to that the fact that his father died in the nut house from basically the same thing
and you have a very troubled young man.  After seven years of no blackouts, just by accident, he discovers that he can go back and "right" the wrongs of his past and create a "new" future for himself and his small group of friends and family.  Remember what they, "be careful what you wish for!"

In an age of remakes, sequels and MORE remakes, it's refreshing to find an original story.  Sure, it's a little far fetched and off the beaten path but it IS original and very entertaining.  Kutcher was good and very intense at times but the standout performance was that of Amy Smart who played Treborn's (Kutcher) childhood sweetheart, Kayleigh.  She plays many "different" Kayleighs and plays them all with great passion.  She shows us the differences that life choices can make in a person and also shows us the directions life can take because of circumstances.  Great performance!  Also, the suspense level, after about the first twenty minutes, was constant and peaked as the story came to an end.  Great timing.  They'll be no Oscars® here but there will be plenty of
entertainment, and isn't that why we go to the movies in the first place?  This was a well written thriller and I liked it.

RECOMMENDATION:  Sex, language and violence should keep the kids away with its "R" rating but suspense lovers and thrill-seekers will love it.  Go see it, but change the pacemaker batteries first!

TWO, NOSE BLEEDIN', PAST CHANGIN' THUMBS UP!!!

Movie Review © 2004 by Terry Anderson