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Summary: the soundtrack is also marvelous
Review: the leonard cohen song in the film "everybody knows" is strangely coy and bouncy but still keeping a mellowed solemn feel to it the song has a somewhat thick consoling texture that is enigmatically hypnotic the rest of the music throughout the film is also wonderful and thickly layered keeping in tune with the rest of the film
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Summary: a truly excellent film; it is a brilliant human film
Review: the relationship between the four main characters of the film seemed to fill me with a soft sense of sophisticated solace that just seemed to grip at my heart holding it and letting it bleed into me the beauty of each characters pain their relationship is but a complex yet beautiful depiction of the human experience trying to resolve a certain degree of psychological and emotional pain within their lives through the use of others as a means of therapy a therapy that is indirect and complex but yet consoling reavealing a mystery within their relationship that kept me intrigued throughout the film a bizarre yet wonderful atmosphere seems to permeate throughout the film an atmosphere filled with soft mellowed colors and textures that just seemed to fit the complex psychological mystery of the characters relationship with one another i truly loved this film the last 12-15 mins. of the film were truly exemplary i could feel these characters within me the characters indirect manner of gaining contact with one another directly touched upon me my heart just seemed to bleed for this movie the film just reminds me of the beautiful complexities that seem to run through the human experience
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Summary: Pity about the cover
Review: This film is so beautifully odd and bizarre, yet in a strange way close to the human heart. I was reluctant to watch this film due to the dreadful cover of the videotape but was talked into it by a film fanatic who owned a small video store with independent films.... I have to admit the cover for the video is dreadful (to say the least) but this film..what can I say? An original work, like no other American (Canadian? Miramax is American and Canada is North America, so American) "independent" of the 90s. From the simple yet captivating direction and cinematography, to the intelligent and deeply emotional screenplay, the beautiful mise-en-scene and decor, and ofcourse the eery Middle Eastern soundtrack, the film is a flawless masterpiece. But I still insist....Shame on those who designed the cover for the video...as well as Miramax for selling the movie as a more sophisticated version of "Showgirls."
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Summary: Terrible
Review: It would hard to make a film this bad if you tried--and I mean that. The acting, writing, the cinematography are execrable, horrendous. This was an appallingly bad film, so bad that when I saw it in the theater--even though I thought the lead actress was quite beautiful to look at--I walked out. How it ever got a distributer, much less financing, I'll never fathom.
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Summary: Laughably Silly - Watch it as a Comedy
Review: Body Double was silly, but at least it delivered on some visceral thrills. This movie is one of the most wildly overrated films I've seen. Despite the implied advertising, there is not a single sexy scene in the entire movie. All of the characters are laughably moronic, filled with self-pity and timid perversity. The plot plods along in a coy, self-important way that may drive your thumb to crush the fast forward button. The ending purports to resolve a great mystery, but it delivers only a whimpering anti-climax. If you're looking for a sexy drama, try Dangerous Liaisons, or even Hot Spot or Swann in Love.
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Summary: Obsession and desire, Atom Egoyan's best to date.
Review: An obsession is not unlike a dream, in the sense that you can find in both a very peculiar stance where sensibility and madness go hand in hand. But any attempt, by man or woman, to tread new roads to and from such places is often futile, simply because the journey to such underminded conditions is always one of self-discovery and self-torture.Quite possibly his most sucessful movie to date, Atom Egoyan's marvelously written EXOTICA delves deeply into the world of pain and obsession, painting for us a canvas in which the characters and their stories are never static or cold, but organic and contrived. Painfully marred by their fractured lives and by their fears. EXOTICA tells the story of three very enigmatic and confused individuals. Francis (Bruce Greenwood), an obsessed man who recently went through a very traumatic experience; Christina (Mia Kirshner), an erotic table dancer who has a very special relationship with Francis, and finally Eric the club's D.J. (powerfully played by Elias Koteas), who seems in turn to be obsessed with Christina. As I was watching the movie, I quickly became enthralled with the story, if for no other reason simply because I was absorbed at how very well portrayed the characters were. It seems that at some point or another we all go through times when our own existance seems to flicker, something breaks inside which gnaws away our sanity. The only way to prevent our destruction is to see ourselves reflected in someone else's life. This is the story told in EXOTICA. Don't be discouraged by the name, the movie is very enjoyable and fun. I was particularly amazed by Elias Koteas performance. The DVD edition is nicely presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1, the video transfer is solid throughout and even though there are no extras to speak of, I think the movie itself is worth its price (or at least a rent). Give it a try, I recommend it.
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Summary: Exotica is an emotionally brilliant film.
Review: Exotica is one of the most emotionally complex and thematically intricate films ever made. Upon each viewing I notice more and more symbolism embedded in the imagery. To say this film is about x, y, or z would be too simplistic. It is a yarn of collective psychological baggage revolving around the relationship between four protagonists and three main narratives, told in a non-linear fashion, as these peoples' lives cross paths. What does it mean to be human, and what do humans do in the face of irreconcilable loss? What does it mean to "touch" and "be touched?" What is the appeal of the "exotic?," of looking in the mirror? What is the role of mimesis in our daily life? What is the role of our daily life in the context of other people, and what "role" do they / we play in the larger context of existence? These are all themes that Exotica presents. This film is worth seeing more than once.
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Summary: A story of Love and Death
Review: Egoyan has crafted a true director's film. The scenes shot in the interior of Exotica, a toney strip club, are more surreal than sensual, and rather melancholy despite the ample flesh displayed. Every shot is framed to propel you toward the emotional punch that is revealed in the last 15 minutes. Few directors can combine suspense, stunning cinematography and lyrical dialog, and ground it all with a musical score that doesn't get in the way. Equal to Ridley Scott at his best (Blade Runner). Take the phone off the hook to watch this one.
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Summary: Simply Incredible
Review: Egoyan is a master. This is an amazing and incredibly deep film that reminds one of a surrealist painting. Here also, for all the world to see, are two of the best and most underused actors in film today. Bruce Greenwood and Elias Koteas. Greenwood seems to finally loose the pretty boy image and show the world that he can act. His obsessed widower is mesmerizing. Koteas has power and presence and I agree with another fan that if there was any justice he would have been nominated for an Oscar for this role.
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Summary: Atom Egoyan's best film.
Review: Atom Egoyan outdid himself on this film. As much as I love The Sweet Hereafter, this is better. Like all of Egoyan's films, the thrill is in the subsequent viewings. One really learns to appreciate his structure in storytelling and filmmaking when viewing it a second, third, etc., time. And Elias Koteas is a revelation. Easily one of the best and least appreciated actors working (like most of Egoyan's regulars), he shines here. This role perfectly showcases how he shines most when he exercises restraint. Many Hollywood hotshot movie stars would go over the top and tear up the screen. And, granted, Koteas has done this himself on occasion, but he understands Eric's quiet and internal conflicts and portrays him beautifully without showy theatrics. If there were any justice, Koteas would have had an Oscar Nomination for this brilliant performance.
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