"Exotica" is part of a very rare breed of film. It takes place mostly in a strip club, and yet there is not much explicit nudity or titillation intended. The seductive setting is needed not to entice viewers, but to tell the haunting yarn that Atom Egoyan ("Sweet Hereafter," "Felicia's Journey") has penned. In a very unique style, Egoyan utilizes numerous flashbacks to give us the exact information we need to fully understand his characters at the proper time. Roger Ebert even compares the film's time structure to that of "Pulp Fiction," but if this is true, the similarities between the two masterpieces end there.
Meet Francis (Bruce Greenwood - "Double Jeopardy," "Sweet Hereafter," "Passenger 57"), a lonely tax auditor who, every other night, visits the exotic strip club aptly named, "Exotica." But Francis is not like the other customers here, for each time he arrives, he makes his way to a back table and orders dances from a particular girl named Christina (Mia Kirshner - "Mad City"). Unlike the other patrons who order dances, Francis does not lust for Christina, but instead seems to need something from her. They each get something important out of their unique relationship, a certain understanding that we learn more about as the film progresses.
Meet Eric (Elias Koteas - "Gattaca," "Prophecy," "Fallen," "Crash"), the club's DJ with the alluring voice. Eric always works up lavish introductions for Christina, on whom he keeps a very close eye. Christina is his ex-girlfriend whom he still desires, but there is something about their relationship that remains unfinished and has caused a rift between them. Not surprisingly, Eric takes sharp notice to Francis' unusual habit of long evenings with Christina.
Meet Thomas (Don McKellar - "When Night is Falling," "Last Night," "Existenz"), a pet shop owner who makes his real money by smuggling rare bird eggs into the country. Thomas develops an abnormal habit of scalping the second of his pair of opera tickets as a means to find a relationship. He is currently being investigated by Francis, who has been sent to search for and collect evidence regarding Thomas' smuggling operation.
These character's stories, as well as that of another young girl (Sarah Polley) with whom Francis has an unusual relationship, come together in powerful fashion and in surprising form. I cannot think of the strongest piece of Egoyan's creation because every aspect of the film is tackled perfectly. The soundtrack is alluring, sexy, and haunting. The settings and cinematography are exquisite. The story is smart, engaging, and for many will require a second viewing, notably the viewing that I just completed. Perhaps best of all, the acting is nothing short of perfect. I don't know how he does it, but Egoyan has a way, especially with this film, of making you immediately forget you are watching actors but instead believe you are immersed into these people's real lives.
"Exotica" does contain a fair share of nudity and sexuality, for Egoyan realizes that the film is set predominately in a strip club. But for those audiences mature enough to experience the intricate tale Egoyan has woven out of these character's lives, "Exotica" is a rare treat not to be missed by film lovers everywhere.
9 out of 10.
Rated R for nudity and some language
DVD Extras: This folks, is as bare-bones as a DVD gets. Thankfully, the film is presented in its original 1.85:1 ratio. Apart from the widescreen aspect, hey, it comes with a keep case!
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