Without the constrictions of an adapted text, Egoyan's creativity turns towards intellectual exercise.

Unfortunately the elaborately unspooled plot delivering these ideas in dramatic form is so scraggy and effortful it defeats the cast and rather compromises our involvement.

The most positive thing you can say about Atom Egoyan's latest film is that it is well-intentioned. But the most honest thing that you can say is that it's a painfully misguided and pretentious folly.

This is a real treat for fans of early Egoyan films like Next of Kin or Speaking Parts.