The Adjuster (1991)

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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Atom Egoyan

Writer:

Atom Egoyan

Stars:

Elias Koteas, Arsinée Khanjian, Maury Chaykin

5 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Elias Koteas	...	Noah
Arsinée Khanjian	...	Hera
Maury Chaykin	...	Bubba
Gabrielle Rose	...	Mimi
Jennifer Dale	...	Arianne
David Hemblen	...	Bert - The Head Censor
Rose Sarkisyan	...	Seta - Hera's Sister
Armen Kokorian	...	Simon - Hera's Child
Jacqueline Samuda	...	Louise - The Maid
Gerard Parkes	...	Tim
Patricia Collins	...	Lorraine
Don McKellar	...	Tyler - The Young Censor
John Gilbert	...	The Doctor
Stephen Ouimette	...	Larry - The Butterfly Collector
Raoul Max Trujillo	...	Matthew - His Lover (as Raoul Trujillo)

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

male nudity | sex | leg spreading | unhappiness | unfaithfulness | 

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Taglines:

Sex... Power... Obsession.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sensuality and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Atom Egoyan came up with the idea for the film when his family's home burned down as a child. He was fascinated by how much his family was forced to depend upon the insurance adjuster, who was just a stranger to them otherwise.

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Quotes

Bubba: So many places you see, you wouldn't think twice about, they pass right through you. And then, for no reason, you can see a house, and find yourself wondering, what is going on inside of those walls.

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Connections

Featured in J.C. (2001)

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Soundtracks

Look Here My Dear
by Jivan Gasparyan (as Djivan Gasparian)
from the album "I Will Not Be Sad In This World"
© Opal Music/VAAP 1989
(p) 1989 Opal Ltd./Warner Bros. Records Inc.

User Reviews

My favorite Canadian movie of all time!!

Words cannot express how much I love The Adjuster. It's actually been a while since I saw it, so I picked it up again, and well, fell in love with it once again. It's just that good.

The cast consists of a Canadian dream cast du jour: Elias Koteas! Don Mckellar! Maury Chaykin! Arsinée Khanjian! They're all DYNAMITE here, playing some low down creepy characters here.

Koteas plays the titular Adjuster in the movie, looking after people who've lost their houses in a fire. Khanjian plays his wife, who makes a living from being a censor for the government (!!), Don Mckellar plays the new censor that was hired who catches on very quickly how to move up in the world. I'd rather not get into Maury Chayken's character if you don't mind lol All of these characters intermingle with each other. There's not a huge story to be found here, more of a character study. And what a study it is, as you find out a little more about each character with every viewing, with some mysteries yet to reveal (What WAS with the Podiatrist?) Can't recommend this movie enough. I have to say this is Egoyan's crowning achievement, and I've been waiting for him to replicate it. (Instead, he's been giving us crap like Felicia's Journey)

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

July 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

A kárbecslő

Filming Locations:

Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD1,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,686, 31 May 1992

Gross USA:

$396,573

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$396,573

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Entertainment, Ego Film Arts, Family Viewing Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1