Der Schätzer (1991)
32KDer Schätzer: Directed by Atom Egoyan. With Elias Koteas, Arsinée Khanjian, Maury Chaykin, Gabrielle Rose. A reflection about what makes everyone’s life unique, through the story of Noah’s family. Noah is an adjuster, having sex with his customers. His wife Hera watches pornographic movies for the Board of Censors. They live with their son Simon and Hera’s sister in a show-flat. One day, they meet Bubba, who wants to make a movie in their house.
“I am writing primarily because Mike seemed to be unclear about some of the plot points in the film. As to the chance encounter between the adjusteru0026#39;s wife and the film-makeru0026#39;s spouse; The u0026quot;bumu0026quot; who the spouse debases herself with is, in fact, her husband dress as a bum.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe wife of the adjuster gives the censored pornography to her sister. Her sister derives some peace from watching it. Why she feels this way is never explained.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAnd now here is my review of this wonderful, if less-than-transparent film.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI had already seen 1989u0026#39;s Speaking Parts and enjoyed it enough to see this film upon its release. The way Atom makes pictures; (with much more said in silences or physical and psychological violence than is often imparted in dialogue) seems to have been set early. They have an almost painful to watch edge to them. And, like challenging art, is often difficult to fully realize upon a first viewing.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis is also not my favorite film by this director. I love many aspects of this film. And I especially enjoy the heightened sense that reality is about to splinter that this film expresses so well. But my favorite is still Exotica. The Sweet Hereafter is too Hollywood and just not as devastating. But The Adjuster has some of the best stick-in-your-mind images. It is impenetrable in spots. It refuses to give you all the answers. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIt has a u0026quot;happyu0026quot; ending if you can call avoiding death u0026quot;happy.u0026quot; But most of all it gives you entrée into a world youu0026#39;d never see without this engraved invitation. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eNo, this film is not for everyone. I am not going to bash folks who donu0026#39;t get it/like it. It is their prerogative. But for folks like me, folks who love Amadovar, Fellini and some of the other great filmmakers who show us the seamier side of life, then this is a very good, if not quite great film.”
