Directed by Atom Egoyan
Atom Egoyan’s films are always very intimate as he explores desire with characters who try to remould their realities to fit their yearnings. For me, the most memorable would have to be the penetrating expose of need and exploitation in Exotica. At the beginning his latest film, the audience is shown tantalising flashes of exposed flesh as call girl Chloe (Amanda Seyfreid) dresses in front of a mirror. At the same time gynecologist Dr Catherine Stewart (Julianne Moore) is discussing her patient’s sex life while her husband David Stewart (Liam Neeson) is giving a university lecture on Don Giovanni’s numerous sexual conquests … and being propositioned by a student.
Catherine and David have successful careers and live in a stylish but sterile apartment. While their 17 year old son is discovering sex, their personal relationship is suffering from a lack of intimacy. When David misses the surprise birthday party organised by Catherine, and she discovers a text message from a young female student, she suspects that he is having an affair. When she meets the beautiful Chloe in the rest room of a restaurant a couple of weeks later, Catherine decides to hire Chloe to test David’s fidelity. The relationship between the two women becomes more convoluted and distinctly steamy when Catherine meets Chloe for her to report her progress in seducing David.
Based on the French film Nathalie (directed by Anne Fontaine), this very seductive film combines the play of light with reflections in mirrors and windows. When Catherine meets Chloe, their conversation is to each other’s reflection in a rest room mirror. Like Catherine, the audience members become absolute voyeurs as Chloe reveals her seductions. It is easy to become lost in the unfolding intimacies, and it is not until the final moments that their full significance is revealed.
Lezly Herbert
