The action in Canadian provocateur Atom Egoyan's cryptic Exotica revolves largely around the strip club, which lends the film its name, a faux-tropical hothouse where young female dancers cater to their customers' sexual and psychological needs. Among the regulars is Francis (Bruce Greenwood), a troubled taxman haunted by Christina, a young stripper played by Mia Kirshner. As the film hypnotically unfolds, their relationship is slowly explored, the narrative dovetailing with the stories of a gay
pet shop owner (Don McKellar), the Exotica's pregnant owner (Arsinee Khanjian), and its embittered DJ (Elias Koteas). Like all of Egoyan's films, Exotica is a riddle, its answers only fostering more questions. The director's recurring themes of family breakdowns, voyeurism and obsession are all in the mix here as well, but essayed with a new clarity of vision and intensity. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
Egoyan's intent is not ultimately to disturb us, but to look closely at people at their wits' end, desperate, and sad, in hopes of finding absolution for them.
Apparent from its ominous, opening pan is Exotica's craft - the film is deliberate and attentive, and displays action that is not apparently related or significant - at first. Ultimately, the exposition purposefully lacks a cohesiveness.
A hypnotizing film. Bruce Greenwood is a re-occurring patron at a strip club, and becomes fixated on a particular girl. His motives are revealed throughout. Well made film.
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