Review of Adoration (2009) by Jim M — 22 Oct 2009

Story of a Toronto High School student whose French teacher convinces him to present a fictional story about his deceased parents involving an attempted bombing and the controversy and consequences of this lie until the truth is revealed.

Certainly a worthwhile Canadian film, though its defenitly on the arty side (Atom Egoyan serves as wrtier/director/producer) and you won't want to be distracted as the story is extremely nonlinear jumping between past and present, truth and fiction. The cast (Devon Bostick, Kenneth Welsh, Noam Jenkins, the lovely Rachel Blanchard, Scott Speedman and Arsinee Khanjian) all perform well with Speedman as the boys uncle (who raised him after his parents death, a responability that cost him most of his 20's) and Jenkins as Sami, Simons (the main character) father appearing in flashbacks but ultimatly , along with his wife, is the driving force behind the story. Problems arise with Khanjians character Sabine, Simon's French teacher, personally her actions seemed like those of a bloody moron, and she comes off as one of the worst characters in the film (though her actions are kinda explained). That was probably Egoyans intention, i'll have to watch it again sometime. In any case worth a look, give it 15-20 minutes and you'll know if its for you.