The Adjuster (1991)

Director:

Atom Egoyan

Writer:

Atom Egoyan (writer)

Release Date:

July 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

In search of relative comfort...

Plot:

A reflection about what makes everyone's life unique, through the story of Noah's family. Noah is an adjuster...

Plot Keywords:

Sex | Censor | Reference To Anita Ekberg | Gay | Fire

Awards:

5 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Elias Koteas	...	Noah
Arsinée Khanjian	...	Hera
Maury Chaykin	...	Bubba
Gabrielle Rose	...	Mimi
Jennifer Dale	...	Arianne
David Hemblen	...	Bert - The Head Censor
Rose Sarkisyan	...	Seta - Hera's Sister
Armen Kokorian	...	Simon - Hera's Child
Jacqueline Samuda	...	Louise - The Maid
Gerard Parkes	...	Tim
Patricia Collins	...	Lorraine
Don McKellar	...	Tyler - The Young Censor
John Gilbert	...	The Doctor
Stephen Ouimette	...	Larry - The Butterfly Collector
Raoul Trujillo	...	Matthew - His Lover

Also Known As:

L'expert en sinistres (Canada: French title)
Den gode mannen (Sweden) [sv]
Der Schätzer (Germany) [de]
El liquidador (Spain) [es]
El taxador (Spain: Catalan title) [ca]
Il perito (Italy) [it]
O asfalistis (Greece) (TV title) [el]
The Adjuster (Greece) [el]

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

New Zealand:R18 | Hong Kong:III | Australia:R | Germany:16 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Alliance Entertainment

Quotes:

Hera: When I say something which deserves consideration and you respond without thinking, how do you feel?
Noah: I feel fine.
Hera: I thought you might feel stupid.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Chacun son cinéma ou Ce petit coup au coeur quand la lumière s'éteint et que le film commence (2007)

Soundtrack:

High School Confidential

A gem, as always, from Egoyan.

The one thing I can always count on from Atom Egoyan is an interesting film. This is a brilliant, and very dark, comedy with a sensationally twisted plot, fabulous cast, and great cinematography. Egoyan's use of light is excellent, as is the wonderful setting and scenery. This film is so imaginative that it's beyond a story told on the screen...visual poetry. And the frightening thing is that as good as this film is, it's not even his best effort. The pace was a bit slow at times, and at times the plot seemed to stagger a bit. His film-making was much sharper in Exotica, which is my personal favourite. But the plot is so well devised (odd and twisted, and full of intricate details that are hard to really absorb the first time through) that it makes up for any lack of quality. Elias Koteas is really good in this; his best role save perhaps Fallen, and he outshines Arsinee Khanjian who didn't quite feel up to par. My favourite role in the film, however, was a fabulous performance by Maury Chaykin as an unbalanced former football player. The gasoline scene is the best in the film, and Chaykin's expression and lines are priceless. As well, look for Don McKellar's excellent, though unfortunately small role, as Tyler (the rookie censor). He's absolutely hilarious, and his delivery of dialogue is nothing short of brilliant. All i all, it's not Egoyan's best effort, which means it still stands above most films. A really good quality indie-film, with a *very* original plot, quirky and memorable characters, and a strong cast. An easy 8/10.