Der Schätzer

A reflection about what makes everyone's life unique, through the story of Noah's family. Noah (Elias Koteas) is an adjuster, having sex with his customers. His wife Hera watches pornographic movies for the Board of Censors. They live with their son Simon and Hera's sister in a show-flat. One day, they meet Bubba (Chris Christie), who wants to make a movie in their house.

I wish I had known about Atom Egoyan years ago. I only recently "discovered" his work, and it is generally excellent. Between this and "Exotica", I am not sure which I like more. He tells original stories, and puts Elias Koteas to good use... no one else seems to be able to do that, wasting him in supporting roles. (To mainstream audiences, Koteas is Casey Jones but little else.) Some of the plot confuses me, especially as it goes on, and it could use a second (or third viewing). And why not? This is the sort of picture to share with friends.

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.

This very quirky film by director Atom Egoyan is about an insurance adjuster Noah, played by Elias Koteas. He is very empathetic to the victims of fires to their homes, and all of his clients end up staying in the same motel complex until their claims are settled (which never happens). A parallel story is about Bubba and Mimi, a rich couple who act out fantasies in public (she befriends him as he plays a sleeping derelict on the subway, she's a cheerleader for the football team-she is not a very young woman). The acting is fine, particularly Bubba, who is played by Maury Chaykin. I've seen him in many other projects, I think he'll be familiar to you. My problem is the story is weird for weird's sake. Who'd want to know these people? They are creepy, and the film becomes creepy. Its cutting edge, but I wanted better character development. I felt it just didn't deliver. If you get the DVD, you'll be rewarded. Included are two things which I really liked. One is the almost 20 minute film "En Passant", starring Maury Chaykin and Arsinee Khanijan, who plays Noah's wife in "The Adjuster". It moves along at a good pace and tells a simple, but good story. The other thing is an interview with director Atom Egoyan. He is articulate and I found he is true to his craft. I also realized he directed the excellent "The Sweet Hereafter". I'd recommend that movie before you touch this film. But, if you see the DVD, buy it for the extras. Check the film out. I didn't love it, but others here did.

This film gave me the creeps. I guess some people like that in a film, and of course that is their prerogative. Sometimes a creepy film will have enough intrigue in other ways to keep my interest and appreciation, but this was not the case with the Adjuster. I almost turned it off because it was making me dread what would happen next. The music made me nervous and I found the characters' neuroses neither amusing nor interesting. In fact, I thought the characters were quite flat in spite of their quirks.

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.