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Before his daughter's wedding, corporate lecturer Frank (Ryan Reynolds) insists on telling the groom-to-be about his own relationship mishaps with his wife Susan (Emily Mortimer), which include a run-in with an aggressive fan (Sarah Chalke) and some big mix-ups regarding babies. Throughout much of the flashback, Frank goes further off the deep end as he realizes his lifelong penchant for making lists and reasonable choices doesn't always yield the best or simplest results.

Big question: Is this a heartfelt romance or a goofy farce about the ups, downs, and total disasters of a relationship?

Catch it: A disposable, entertaining mess, "Chaos Theory" veers wildly from broad comedy to melodrama, simultaneously reflecting real parental problems while using a daughter's love as artificial sweetener. Still, it lets itself go more bonkers than the typical romantic comedy, admitting that the truth will come out eventually and that elders know best because they've screwed up and lived to tell about it.

Skip it: Frank says that part of the father of the bride's job is to keep the groom away from the back exit. Whatever happened to a good, old-fashioned alarm system? Or a leash?

Bottom line: "Chaos Theory" should decide if it wants to focus on far-fetched misunderstandings (bad idea) or the consequences of secrets, lies and half-truths (better idea). Still, Chalke and Mortimer are major assets, and Reynolds has grown into a legitimate leading man--mostly because he now actually seems like he cares. And at least the film strives for its own quirky rhythm, which can't be said for stuff like "27 Dresses."

Bonus: Frank's pal Buddy (Stuart Townsend) tells Susan, "You don't need a pool for a poolboy." You decide which one you'd rather have in your backyard!

What do you think of 'Chaos Theory'? Email me: mpais@tribune.com

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