Adoration Directed by: Atom Egoyan Cast: Scott Speedman, Arsinee Khanjian, Devon Bostick Running Time: 1 hr 40 mins Rating: R Release Date: May 31, 2009

Plot: Simon (Bostick) is encouraged by his French teacher, Sabine (Khanjian), to pretend to be the son of an attempted terrorist as part of a school project. He takes it too far, telling people from the internet; they use his supposed identity to vent about their pain and fear from the event he describes. Meanwhile, his uncle Tom (Speedman), tries to understand why he's developed this persona.

Who’s It For? Fans of Atom Egoyan, if you liked The Sweet Hereafter or Exotica and appreciate his elliptical style of filmmaking, you'll be rewarded.

Expectations: I'm always interested in Egoyan's films, though I find some more comprehensive than others.

SCORECARD (0-10)

Actors: Scott Speedman as Tom: I primarily known Speedman from his work on the TV show Felicity and the Underworld films. So I was pretty surprised that he was showing up in an Egoyan film. That said, he acquits himself nicely as Tom, a man who changes his life to raise his nephew after his sister and her husband pass away. Speedman plays a man torn between anger at the world and his place in it and love for his nephew. I hope he continues to take more challenging roles. Score: 7

Arsinee Khanjian as Sabine: Wife of and frequent collaborator with Egoyan, Khanjian plays Simon's very unconventional teacher. When he writes a personal essay about a terrorist attack, she encourages him to perform it for the class in the first person. Her interest in Simon seems ... inappropriate. But her performance leaves you more intrigued than creeped out. Khanjian always does a good job, and this is no exception. Score: 7

Devon Bostick as Simon: Simon's the catalyst for the film, the person who brings Tom and Sabine together. His story is difficult to figure out as he becomes deeply involved in the story of the terrorists. Bostick never overacts, he has a delicate touch. But sometimes toward the end of the film he underacts a little too much. Score: 6

Talking: Egoyan (also the writer) uses silence as much as dialogue. Some of the talk is a little stylized, but the way it all folds together is very satisfying. Score: 7

Sights: Beautifully shot and langorously edited. I don't mean to suggest that the editing was lazy, but that the filmmakers give scenes adequate room to breathe. The only reason it doesn't get a higher score in this category is the scenery isn't particularly attractive. Score: 6

Sounds: There's some nice violin music, but not as much as you'd think considering one of the main characters is a violinist. A nice score, but kind of forgettable. Score: 5

PLOT SPOILERS

Best Scene: I liked when Sabine was following Tom's tow truck. It was odd and kind of sweet at the same time.

Ending: The ending worked for the most part, except for Simon's cathartic fire. I got what it was supposed to represent, but it felt a little cliched. Especially since his previous story had been so strong.

Questions: Why didn't Tom's dad leave him any money? Where does Simon find these computer chat rooms? Are people really doing that?

Rewatchability: Not really a film I'd watch over and over, but I could see it again. Especially to see how everything fits together in light of what I know about their relationships now.

OVERALL Egoyan's elliptical film examines the idea of truth. SImon's parents are dead, the only way he can learn about who they were is through the people who knew him. Unfortunately, the only one willing to talk about his father is his maternal grandfather, who hated him. So he acts out by placing himself in a position where people believe he is the son of a murderer. The film moves slowly as it explores the actions of its characters, though I didn't feel bored. Egoyan unspools the film like a mystery, but rather than a whodunnit, it's a whydunnit. Still, in the end, I can't help comparing this to some of Egoyan's other films and it's not quite as strong. You should definitely see this film if you like his work, but otherwise, I'd rent Exotica or The Sweet Hereafter first. Final Score: 6/10