A Little Chaos

Name: A Little Chaos
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: June 26, 2015
Duration: 117 min
Rating: 51
Cast: Alan Rickman, Helen McCrory, Kate Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts, Stanley Tucci

2015

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 21 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	Your Score
6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Ratings

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A Little Chaos

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: June 26, 2015 | R

Starring: Alan Rickman, Helen McCrory, Kate Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts, Stanley Tucci

Summary: Madame Sabine De Barra (Kate Winslet) is an unlikely candidate for landscape architect of the still‐to-be-completed Palace of Versailles. She has little time for the classical, ordered designs of the man who hires her, the famous architect Le Nôtre (Matthias Schoenaerts). However, as she works on her creation, she finds herself drawn to theMadame Sabine De Barra (Kate Winslet) is an unlikely candidate for landscape architect of the still‐to-be-completed Palace of Versailles. She has little time for the classical, ordered designs of the man who hires her, the famous architect Le Nôtre (Matthias Schoenaerts). However, as she works on her creation, she finds herself drawn to the enigmatic Le Nôtre and forced to negotiate the perilous rivalries and intricate etiquette of the court of King Louis XIV (Alan Rickman). But Sabine is made of strong stuff; her honesty and compassion help her to overcome both the challenges of her newfound popularity, and an unspeakable tragedy from her past, to win the favour of the Sun King and the heart of Le Nôtre.… Expand

Director: Alan Rickman

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 117 min

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Critic Reviews

Bill Zwecker

Jun 25, 2015

If one can put that historic reality aside — and Rickman and fellow screenwriters Jeremy Brock and Alison Deegan make that possible via their straightforward script — A Little Chaos becomes a highly enjoyable journey to a rarified world 300-plus years ago. Read full review

Empire Angie Errigo

Apr 13, 2015

Lovely, engaging performances keep the film’s heart beating in a sweet if sometimes listless search for Eden. Read full review

Sheri Linden

Jun 25, 2015

The story comes to life only fitfully, even with — or perhaps because of — its court intrigue and supporting characters.... But there are striking glimpses of grit, muck and voluptuous beauty (the great Ellen Kuras handled the cinematography) and, above all, there's Winslet. Read full review

Kenji Fujishima

Jun 25, 2015

Alan Rickman's film is consistently, and often dispiritingly, mired in the quaint tradition of the classy costume drama. Read full review

Peter Keough

Jun 25, 2015

The film is engrossing and entertaining if sometimes trite and manipulative and totally bogus. Read full review

Stephanie Merry

Jun 25, 2015

Though it purports to be about the delights of disorder, “A Little Chaos” feels like yet another by-the-book period romance, only without the genre’s requisite spark between the main characters. Read full review

The Playlist Nikola Grozdanovic

Sep 13, 2014

Some intriguing dialogue, and a closet full of fantastic frocks, can’t help an impressive ensemble cast save A Little Chaos from being a lackadaisical picture, far removed from anything remotely exciting as chaos. Read full review

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User Reviews

arnoldag

Jul 11, 2015

A pleasurable study in stage settings, extremely thoughtful dialog, intense expressions and postures ...
The main characters present us with understanding dramatic resolutions in the experiences of life...
The production overall is amusing entertainment for seniors, movie buffs and new comers. ...

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

LeZee

Oct 4, 2016

A guide to the 17th century royal gardening!

I am little surprised with the film, because I was not expecting this storyline. I mean a good one. You know usually periodic film means there's always romance or war, but this one proved there are more topics to revolve and to reveal to theA guide to the 17th century royal gardening!

I am little surprised with the film, because I was not expecting this storyline. I mean a good one. You know usually periodic film means there's always romance or war, but this one proved there are more topics to revolve and to reveal to the viewers. Yes, this one mainly talks about the engineering, especially gardening. Of course, romance was a part of it, but I loved the blend between these two subjects. One of the best periodic drama I've seen and all the stars were brilliant, particularly Kate Winslet was the best. Matthias Schoenaerts and Alan Rickman was not bad either.

The tale begins with a widowed woman preparing for an interview to get the newly proposed royal gardening project. After some obstacles she gets it, but while the work is in progress, she faces some ups and downs. Besides a feeling for her boss grows intensively and also after an unexpected encounter with a royal member, things around her begins to change. So the deadline is nearing, but lots of work to complete, how she manages all the issues, including deciding about her new romance is what the rest of the narration reveals.

This is not those colourful costumed female oriented films. This is about the profession at the top and the married life issues on a small scale. My first appreciation goes to the writers and then the director. But the actors did their part as I mentioned earlier to make it happen. I would have said it is a fine family film, but the film had matured contents, so it is a fine film for the grown-ups. I definitely recommend it.

8/10… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

foxgrove

Jun 26, 2015

Initially A Little Chaos bears comparison to a new and unused jewellery box in that it is pretty but empty. As things progress, however, one’s interest is stimulated by a couple of well-played scenes and a dedicated performance from Kate Winslet. She can do a role like this as if it was aInitially A Little Chaos bears comparison to a new and unused jewellery box in that it is pretty but empty. As things progress, however, one’s interest is stimulated by a couple of well-played scenes and a dedicated performance from Kate Winslet. She can do a role like this as if it was a walk in the park, or as is the case here, a walk in the garden. Her dialogues with Alan Rickman in particular have a real spark and are quite hypnotic to behold, successfully drawing one into what has hither to been a rather unengaging period piece. The film is generally overly talky rather than literate and the period setting is an unnecessary expense even if the costumes are beautiful in themselves. This is a tale that could easily have been told in a modern setting. At its heart it is basically a romance between Winslet and Matthias Schoenerts who is, unfortunately, not seen to best advantage here costumed and bewigged. He seems uncomfortable in the period setting and his performance lacks the dimension he brought to his role in ‘Suite Francaise’. On the other hand Alan Rickman, as the sun king Louis X1V, is a better actor here than he is a director. Scenes are often lengthy and over indulgent and the film seems to have ambitions above, what is essentially, a small romantic storyline. Supporting performers add colour, although Stanley Tucci is in danger of being typecast as campy and effeminate. Here, as the King’s bi-sexual brother, he makes meals out of witty throwaways. Thankfully, he can be seen at the moment to better advantage in TV’s ‘Fortitude’. Overall the film is disappointing rather than bad, but does afford some pleasures for anyone seeking out fairly light and undemanding entertainment.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

TVJerry

Jun 28, 2015

When King Louis XIV (played by Alan Rickman, who also directed) commissioned Versailles, numerous gardens were included in the process. Kate Winslet plays an unconventional landscape architect, who is hired to design and complete an unusual outdoor ballroom. Under the guidance of anWhen King Louis XIV (played by Alan Rickman, who also directed) commissioned Versailles, numerous gardens were included in the process. Kate Winslet plays an unconventional landscape architect, who is hired to design and complete an unusual outdoor ballroom. Under the guidance of an architect (Matthias Schoenaerts), she struggles with doubters, the politics of court and various rivals. Despite the lavish settings and costumes, the performances are subdued and Rickman has kept a restrained hand on the proceedings. Still, the story is fascinating, the art direction attractive and the result quietly lovely… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

LowbrowCinema

Jul 3, 2015

A LITTLE CHAOS is pure fiction and one wonders, why was this film made exactly? Utterly pointless, but very engaging. You leave confused by the whole work. One thing you can't deny, Kate Winslet is perfection and director Alan Rickman includes two masterful scenes that show the humanityA LITTLE CHAOS is pure fiction and one wonders, why was this film made exactly? Utterly pointless, but very engaging. You leave confused by the whole work. One thing you can't deny, Kate Winslet is perfection and director Alan Rickman includes two masterful scenes that show the humanity beneath all the pomp and circumstance of the French court. So I guess... see it but don't expect much.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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