Adoration (2008)
Director:Atom Egoyan
Writer:Atom Egoyan
Distributor: Sony Classics
Release Date: May 8, 2009
Genre: Drama
Running Time: 1 hrs. 40 min.
It's not art house. It's insufficient story telling. A long 100 minutes movie.
If it were told from a different angle, it would have had more powerful emotional punch.
The first half of the movie follows Simon, a bitter, sullen teenage boy, who seeks the truth of his parents’ death through busy Internet chat boxes. The second half follows the encounter of Simon’s uncle and French teacher, revealing the truth of the parents’ death .
The story puts the boy in the center. It makes sense in a way. After all, he is the one that seeks the truth. Problem is the teenage boy is static. No conflict. No growth. Not much action either. We don’t even get to see the impact of the final revelation on him.
On the other hand, the uncle evolves through the movie. From a person who does not initiate a conversation, does not defend anyone, to a person who opens up his life to others. He carries the weight and struggles. He is the biggest piece of the puzzle – his indifference partially causes the death of his sister and her husband. This is a fascinating character. It should have been his story.
It's easier to be said than done. Nice try, Mr. Egoyan.
