Chaos and Desire

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Chaos and Desire

2002

1h 52m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

56%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

When her hometown in Quebec exhibits strange tidal patterns, seismologist Alice Bradley (Pascale Bussières) travels from Tokyo to analyze the situation. Once she arrives, she meets a pilot, Marc Vandal (Jean-Nicolas Verreault), and is reacquainted with her old friend, Catherine (Julie Gayet), a journalist. While she develops a relationship with Marc, a widower, she encounters strange residents, such as a waitress and a sleepwalking child, who lead her to a supernatural conclusion.

Ray Conlogue

Globe and Mail

Briand's first film, 2 Seconds, was a success. With Chaos and Desire she has overreached herself, but she is an ambitious artist and is moving in an intriguing direction.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 28, 2003

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Peter Howell

Toronto Star

With a smile halfway between seduction and a smirk, and an intensity that speaks of dark secrets and longing, Bussières has the duality needed to play Alice, a seismologist from sleepy Baie-Comeau.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 27, 2003

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Film Threat

Rated: 4/5

Dec 6, 2005

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Brian Gibson

Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta)

A little too slick and self-aware, [the movie] never sinks under the weight of its themes, but this artsy craft of a film does creak and list en route to a safe, soppy ending.

Dec 4, 2003

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Ryan Cracknell

Movie Views

Little more than a fish-out-of-water tale told like my uncle's suspect raves of his annual fishing trip: colourful but not terribly enlightening.

Jul 1, 2003

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G. Allen Johnson

Film Threat

Briand's excellent widescreen composition and Brussieres' cool, composed sunglassed figure are immediately inviting, and the townspeople, who include diner owner Genevieve Bujold, are quirky but not overly so.

Rated: 4/5

May 4, 2003

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Frans G

An excess of dialogue. Hardly anything engaging happens. The verbal overpowers the non-verbal. A talking film. Lack of intimacy Photography is okay though.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

04/30/24

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Audience Member

Dans le top 3 des meilleurs films québec !

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

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Audience Member

I liked it, but then they made the ending extremely schmaltzy.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Be warned that this is a fairly low-budget TV-type movie (with subtitles), but don't write it off! The cinemetography and acting are terrific. This movie transports you to a surprisingly otherworldly alternate-reality - it's a real-life fantasy story. I thought it was outstanding. It was gripping, emotional, suspenseful, artistic and at times moving. One-of-a-kind - I'm curious to see other films by director Manon Briand now.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

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Audience Member

Dans le top 3 des meilleurs films québec !

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

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Audience Member

C'est un film qui ne contient pas beaucoup d'action, mais totu de même un bon film de suspence. C'est pas le genre de film auquel je m'attendais, mais ce n'etait pas trop mal.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Manon Briand

Director

Pascale Bussières

Alice Bradley

Julie Gayet

Catherine

Jean-Nicolas Verreault

Marc Vandal

Geneviève Bujold

Colette

Vincent Bilodeau

Simon Deslandes

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Synopsis

When her hometown in Quebec exhibits strange tidal patterns, seismologist Alice Bradley (Pascale Bussières) travels from Tokyo to analyze the situation. Once she arrives, she meets a pilot, Marc Vandal (Jean-Nicolas Verreault), and is reacquainted with her old friend, Catherine (Julie Gayet), a journalist. While she develops a relationship with Marc, a widower, she encounters strange residents, such as a waitress and a sleepwalking child, who lead her to a supernatural conclusion.

Director: Manon Briand
Producer: Luc Besson, Roger Frappier, Luc Vandal
Screenwriter: Manon Briand
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Canadian French
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)