Softwing Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

Solidrariol Am I Missing Something?

SparkMore n my opinion it was a great movie with some interesting elements, even though having some plot holes and the ending probably was just too messy and crammed together, but still fun to watch and not your casual movie that is similar to all other ones.

Ezmae Chang This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Michael Neumann Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan redefines the black comic satire of his earlier films ('Family Viewing', 'Speaking Parts'), but for all its dark wit and visual sophistication the effort doesn't add up to anything more than a cast of unattractive characters in search of a plot. These include, in ascending order of eccentricity: a handsome insurance agent who uses his control over the victims of catastrophe for sexual favors; his wife, a government film censor who secretly bootlegs violent porn movies for her apathetic sister; a filthy rich couple with a fetish for enacting elaborate exhibitionist fantasies; and so forth. The film is disturbing, perverse, sporadically funny, and totally original, bit also inscrutable to the point of confusion: it gives the impression of depth without clearly saying much about anything at all. Egoyan is a filmmaker of obvious and distinctive talents, but he needs (once again) to build a stronger story around his strange characters.

versatilentertainerextraordinair What a unique and challenging story to work through. The characters are so emotionally unavailable, it is nearly maddening. Even after several days since I watched it, I can't stop thinking about what its purpose is. It requires a second viewing, if one is not too faint of heart. I loved it, even though I did not understand it all the first time. As a recommendation for all of Egoyan's work -- if you're all about the quick fix of action-packed entertainment, look elsewhere. If you want an emotional, suspenseful piece of characterization steeped in a sort of horrid reality, well, this may just be the thing for you. It is a brain teaser. Good luck to all.*There is also a charming short on the DVD for The Adjuster called "En Passant". It is worth a gander.

Brian Ellis Early effort from director Atom Egoyan doesn't have the intricate sub-plots of his later movies but it does show that his penchant for stylized set pieces is not a new thing. From Maury Chaykin's elaborately staged sex romps for his wife to the hotel that the insured clients stay at; everything looks great but the movie itself seems sterile. Elias Koteas' performance sums it up best: cold and emotionless. Sex plays a big role in this movie but no one enjoys it. From the movies that censor Arsinée Khanjian views to the "extra" benefits that Koteas provides his clients - sex seems more a chore than anything else. Even with Chaykin's sex games, the excitement is more with the setup than the act itself. You know what? Big deal! Egoyan seems so intent on showing how detached (and boring) people can become that it is hard not to feel that way watching the movie. Egoyan movies are worth watching because he really tries to make a statement but in most cases the films become exercises in making pretty pictures and in some cases, pretentiousness. This movie just misses being pretentious but it isn't very memorable either.

rmcubed First, the one bad thing about this film, its handling of sex. It's crass, and the fact that the lead character's wife works for the Board of Censors and watches a lot of pornography manages to be both pompously self-referential and irritatingly shallow at the same time, as well as leading to some completely unnecessary voyeurism.However, it is bang on in its handling of the lead character. Theoretically unpromising as an insurance adjuster (although Woody Allen makes it work too!), in fact the way in which he interacts with his "clients" exposes interestingly the relationship between people and the service industry (think just how bad or good your bank can actually make your life).Lots of great interior shots and visual invention, too. Even pretty funny in places.