Anything remotely resembling wit would have been nice, especially considering it's already a made-up story. To waste WInslet's considerable talents on something so boring is unforgivable.

Brilliantly done - great action and acting by Kate Winslow

Kate Winslet's acting was remarkably wooden. She seemed to have the same stern middle-aged expression on her face all the time. The plot was quite interesting, but let down by Kate Winslet's acting. I have enjoyed watching her in films like 'The Reader'. There was something that did not ring true about the other roles either. Overall I thought it was a vanity production and vehicle for Kate Winslet, and although it was sufficiently entertaining for me to watch to the end, the overall experience was disappointing. I like costume dramas, my favourite being Valmont (1989).

I just love this movie, the costumes, the story, Matthias, Kate, Alan, Stanley and everyone else. For me a beautiful film.

This moving is engaging and delightful. I've watched it at least five times and enjoyed it each time. I love a good romantic time period piece, and, of course, Kate Winslet always delights. It might be a little slow for some, but if you like these kind of movies, the pace won't bother you. Our heroines affair could be problematic without the understanding of her lovers prior marital arrangement. So for that reason, and for this time period it's set in, her love story is acceptable.

Top notch cast led by Kate Winslet who's hired on by landscape architect Andre LeNotre (Matthias Schoenaerts) to design one of the gardens at Versaille. Alan Rickman is delightful as Louis XIV as is Stanley Tucci as his brother. Rickman also directed and had a hand in the writing of this pleasant enough but pointless historical fantasy. I wish Netflix would get hold of Ken Russell's "The Devils" for some perspective.

A wonderful film period film. Brilliant story and acting, highly recommended.

I can't stand a period dramas where it feels like the actors are wearing costumes trying their hardest to fit into a different century. The only reason I made it through this movie was because of Alan Rickman's purely enjoyable performance as King Louis XIV. If you love Alan Rickman and picturesque landscapes watch this. But, I wouldn't recommend this movie to a friend.

This films shows that with Alan Rickman's passing the world lost not only a superb actor but a talented director. Rickman, Kate Winslet, Stanley Tucci and Matthias Schoenaerts breathe so much life into their characters that it is easy to forget that the story is entirely fiction. Several scenes are memorable: Winslet's chance garden meeting with Rickman; Winslet's meeting with the women of court and their reaction to learning that she lost a child; Winslet's and Rickman's allegorical discussion of roses. The dialogue is surprisingly fresh, and frequently surprising in very pleasant ways. The ending is a bit abrupt, but the film is well worth watching.

Very talented cast. A good story. The music is terrible, though.

Maybe I am too sentimental because of the passing of Alan Rickman, but this crowd is very well pleased.

Lavish, romantic, beautiful. I loved it. A gentle movie, with wonderful, understated acting from the whole cast.

It has an interesting subject matter and a terrific cast (they are really, really amazing), also the tecnical merits are very stylish, but the story, even if grows scene from scene because of the cast, never develops too much like the actors... Still it is a recommended watch for everyone who has an interst in period pieces.

enjoyable story and great cast

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. No flash bang; just wonderful actors in a fulfilling story. Kate and Matthias are great together, and Stanley and Alan round it out beautifully.

I disagree with the reviews. I love this film for the characters and the visual storytelling

Watch it for the acting, costumes, scenery and some good escapism (unless you are a landscape designer). The plot was a bit rushed and it seemed oddly edited - but I enjoyed watching it. This might have made an excellent mini series.

Stanley Tucci Alan Rickman and Kate!!!!sooooo good. It was enjoyable.

- Kate Winslet and A Little Chaos are definitely a great thing - A Little Chaos inspires a surprising amount of peace. If you're looking for a film to watch with a hot cup of tea or a glass of wine on a rainy day, this is it. Suffice it to say, this film takes me to my happy place. Versailles and its gardens are famous for a reason, and this film opens with them still under construction. At the beginning there is no Hall of Mirrors, no oyster-shelled walks, none of the things that I admired on my own journey there years ago. This is a genesis story. This allows the characters to carry the film without resting on their stunning surroundings to captivate the audience. Sabine De Barra (Kate Winslet, The Divergent Series, The Dressmaker) is the unlikely candidate chosen to assist André Le Notre (Matthias Schoenaerts, Far from the Madding Crowd, The Danish Girl) in landscaping a portion of the gardens at Versailles. Her personal style is in the chaos. It varies from the order set by the Romans and the Renaissance. She prefers the French way of setting one's own fashion (*insert fist pump here*). It wins her the affection and respect, and occasionally the hatred, of those around her, including King Louis XIV (Alan Rickman, Eye in the Sky, Alice Through the Looking Glass). Have I mentioned the costumes? No? Allow me. I don't think my t-shirt and yoga pants are quite the equivalent of Sabine's distinctively feminine-yet-practical gardening clothes (I mean I thought about wearing my corset while weeding, but I abandoned the idea). As much as I love the natural, well-wearing fabrics used in her work attire, I love her court gowns even more. In that prestigious setting she requires more silk and lace to blend in with the heavy brocades and miles of pearls. She's still more simply dressed than those around her, but she stands out all the same. She's authentic and a working woman who shares the common thread of motherhood, love, and loss with those around her. In a particularly vulnerable moment, Sabine bonds with a group of women who are disappointed that they are merely decorative. They depend on their beauty, wit, and accomplishments to retain the favor of the men who keep them fed and clothed. This means that tears must be shut away and grievances must be silenced. In a series of secretive confessions, each woman shares her burden with Sabine since she's an anomaly. She's dared to live life independently. This scene was quite possibly my favorite, and it's definitely the one that made me cry. Sabine listens to these women, and uses her modicum of power to speak for them when given the opportunity. It's a sweet, "we women have to stick together" moment that is entirely relatable and poignant. My thumb is no greener for having seen this film, but A Little Chaos certainly carries a refreshing serenity that makes it stand out from others in its genre. It's a sweet and inspiring piece. ---------- This review was first published on Narrative Muse, http://www.narrativemuse.co/movies/a-little-chaos, and was written Micah Orsetti. Narrative Muse curates the best books and movies by and about women and non-binary folk on our website http://narrativemuse.co and our social media channels.

Kate Winslet and Alan Rickman light up the screen in their few shared scenes together, but ultimately A Little Chaos is a little dull.