Anyone who praises this film is kidding themselves. I can't recall ever seeing a film that has aged worse than this. The Adjuster isn't the worst movie I've seen, but it is a completely unintelligible and dull exercise in abstractions, and that's putting it kindly. I can normally enjoy or at least appreciate foreign films, old films, and even experimental films, but I found this film to be extremely inaccessible. It's the kind of thing some no-talent film student would make who wanted to be avant-garde, but who knew next to nothing about constructing a story. It's not just boring; it's so poorly-done, that when it's over, you're just in disbelief that anyone is capable of making something that is such a complete waste of time.

This very quirky film by director Atom Egoyan is about an insurance adjuster Noah, played by Elias Koteas. He is very empathetic to the victims of fires to their homes, and all of his clients end up staying in the same motel complex until their claims are settled (which never happens). A parallel story is about Bubba and Mimi, a rich couple who act out fantasies in public (she befriends him as he plays a sleeping derelict on the subway, she's a cheerleader for the football team-she is not a very young woman). The acting is fine, particularly Bubba, who is played by Maury Chaykin. I've seen him in many other projects, I think he'll be familiar to you. My problem is the story is weird for weird's sake. Who'd want to know these people? They are creepy, and the film becomes creepy. Its cutting edge, but I wanted better character development. I felt it just didn't deliver. If you get the DVD, you'll be rewarded. Included are two things which I really liked. One is the almost 20 minute film "En Passant", starring Maury Chaykin and Arsinee Khanijan, who plays Noah's wife in "The Adjuster". It moves along at a good pace and tells a simple, but good story. The other thing is an interview with director Atom Egoyan. He is articulate and I found he is true to his craft. I also realized he directed the excellent "The Sweet Hereafter". I'd recommend that movie before you touch this film. But, if you see the DVD, buy it for the extras. Check the film out. I didn't love it, but others here did.

Agree with the previous post.. this film is extraordinary and I'm amazed at the negative reactions here. I would rate it as my favourite film of all..It's an incredible and subtle meditation on what means to be alive, to be human, to love. To be human and to be confronted by this fragmented, alienating, disturbing modern existence .. with our lives and interactions largely filtered through technology and our experiences so far removed from those of our ancestors and those before.I was provoked and amazed by this piece of work - and I'd urge anyone who wants to be challenged to see it.James

this early atom egoyan film is truly the best of his movies that i have seen, and they are "exotica", "felecia's journey", "the sweet hereafter", "speaking parts" and of course "adjuster". egoyan has a very special gift and that is the way he tells the stories, a way that forces the characters to do things you wouldn't think they'll do, or do them in a very un-expected way. egoyan drives you into the story using all the tools included in a film director's case: beautiful, almost dreamy photography, haunting mysterious music,careful attention to movement and color. that is the case with all his films but in "adjuster" this unique style of his really comes to a peak. the strange story of an insurance adjuster being eaten inside by guilt and fear seems to take place in a world where morality and good are disappearing slowly, living the honest man to burn is his own hell, created by his inability to read the reality that lies before him. this is always a very good story material for films, because it allows the filmmaker an investigation of the psyche, tormented, searching, afraid and yet unable to tie all ropes together to make sense of the world. i recommend watching "the adjuster" and then watching it again after a day or two. if you dig movies, you will not forget this one. an exceptional experience.