It's a Canadian psychological drama set in the 1990s in Toronto, Ontario, in a strip club called Exotica and a pet shop selling exotic animals. It follows the interaction between a Revenue Canada tax auditor, Francis Brown (Bruce Greenwood), a young exotic dancer, Christina (Mia Kirshner), the DJ at the strip club, Eric (Elias Koteas), and the gay owner of the store, Thomas Pinto (Don McKellar). Secondary roles include Francis's brother, Harold (Victor Garber), and niece, Tracey (Sarah Polley).
"Exotica" slowly unfolds the relationship of all the characters in the context of past trauma in Francis Brown's life. We don't learn all the pieces until the very end. Atom Egoyan has crafted a very clever story in a highly sexualized atmosphere. Some parts of the narrative are a little too creative (theft of exotic bird eggs by a customs officer), but it works even though it can't be real. And you get to hear Leonard Cohen sing music to strip by.
"Exotica" slowly unfolds the relationship of all the characters in the context of past trauma in Francis Brown's life. We don't learn all the pieces until the very end. Atom Egoyan has crafted a very clever story in a highly sexualized atmosphere. Some parts of the narrative are a little too creative (theft of exotic bird eggs by a customs officer), but it works even though it can't be real. And you get to hear Leonard Cohen sing music to strip by.