All this flimsy, frothy sweetness may be too much, or, more accurately, too little, for the tastes of many; served correctly, though, it can make for a fine meal. Alan Rickman takes a delicate touch to a precious treatment, and his film is a joyous little treasure. Though marred by a few odd stylistic missteps, its the purpose of the imagery and their surrounding story, not the execution, that lingers longest. Ellen Kuras shoots in flat, shimmering tones, situating the human figures as enveloped by, an integral part of their environment, just as their environment is an integral part of the story. Rickman hasn't the strongest grasp on sensory storytelling - he lacks no conviction, only original thought and restraint in this regard - but one quite vividly senses the emotional thrust, not least due to Kate Winslet. The versatile actor seems to willingly blend into the texture of A Little Chaos, rather than force her feelings to the fore - it's an astute performance, and it makes her romantic scenes with Matthias Schoenaerts fairly powerful. If A Little Chaos is missing any broader, firmer context, it's because Rickman cares little to probe matters beyond the immediate purview of his narrative; the film is focused and affecting as a result, though too easily dismissed as a mere diverting trifle. It certainly is flimsy and frothy, but the design of A Little Chaos is dedicated to these qualities, and the film as a whole is a delectable, delightful trifle, then.
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