By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Atom Egoyan
Starring: Arsinée Khanjian | Devon Bostick | Kenneth Welsh | Scott Speedman
Country: canada
Year: 2009
Running time: 100
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1074929/
Michael says: “Atom Egoyan is my favorite filmmaker, so I am predisposed to enjoy his films. I like the themes he explores and the way he explores them. With his latest film, ADORATION, he once again explores the nature of truth, how the stories we tell define us, how recorded documents become fact, how technology affects truth, and the ways our different cultures define us – among other themes. He uses a high school student named Simon, whose parents died when he was young who writes a speech for his French class where he confesses that his father was a political terrorist who almost tricked his wife to carry a bomb onto a plane bound for Israel. He is encouraged by his French teacher, Sabine, who seems to have an unusual interest in Simon and his uncle, Tom, who takes care of him. From the class, the controversial story is rabidly discussed on the internet, among both Simon’s friends, to others who were on the plane where the supposed bomb was carried. There is also a search for identity happening, and the need to connect with lost family.
“What Atom does so well in ADORATION is his ability to weave so many disparate storylines through the overarching narrative and keep track of them so well. Despite all the many levels we are presented with, Atom expertly weaves them together, and keeps them in the forefront enough so that we, the viewer, never loses track of them. The other major thing ADORATION has going for it is the performances. Arsinée Khanjian is truly an underrated actor, and Atom gives her roles that are really difficult for audiences to empathize with, or even understand. Sabine is an unusual character, some might even say a little crazy, but somehow Arsinée makes her if not likable, a little endearing. The real surprise here is Scott Speedman, who showed great promise with a couple of his early films, KITCHEN PARTY and MY LIFE WITHOUT ME, before veering into Hollywood genre films UNDERWORLD and XXX: STATE OF THE UNION. In ADORATION he really inhabits a complex character is our ‘regular guy’ entry point into a film filled with unusual circumstances and unsympathetic characters.
“But while I really enjoyed ADORATION quite a bit, it does have some flaws. Sabine’s back story is a little contrived… and while it could have been worse, it did feel a little forced, and I’m sure there could have been a better way to tie her into the central story. And while it’s a fairly major annoyance, it does little to lessen my enjoyment of the film overall. 4 cats.”
Thom says: “I adore Atom Egoyan as well & have never given any film of his less than 4 cats, and he usually receives 5 cats. However, I found ADORATION to be a real disappointment & I could only give it 3 cats . I simply couldn’t register with the character of Simon.”