Performances are understated even as actors boldly dive into outrageous situations, portraying messy lives that are easy to identify with. At the centre, De Oliveira gives the most compelling performance, creating someone flawed and still sympathetic. Thewlis gives Jim a remarkably singular personality, even if he seems to be outside the central narrative (he's not). As both inspector and father, he is strict but compassionate, only barely keeping his feelings in check. The title refers to a run-in he has with a cheeky restauranteur played by the wonderful Khanjian.

Egoyan is an expert at weaving richly textured narratives that are populated with people who are both elusive and instantly recognisable. The various relationships are packed with assumptions and expectations, as they keep secrets from each other, or at least seem to be doing so. There's also a haunting sense of guilt, and an even more haunting lack of it, relating to past decisions. It's a mesmerising puzzle of a film that gets deep under the skin.

themes, language, violence

1.Jun.20

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