ATOM EGOYAN IN TORONTO FOR "CRUEL AND TENDER"

Atom Egoyan & Mr. Will-W.

Toronto's v. own Atom Egoyan needs little introduction.  The Academy Award-nominated Director (The Sweet Hereafter) is back home right now working on Martin Crimp's Stage Play, Cruel and Tender.  The Canadian Stage production which explores War in the domestic and political spheres, reunites him and his Wife, Actress Arsinée Khanjian once again after they first met 30 years ago working together on his Film Next of Kin.

It was also just announced that Egoyan once again will be reuniting this Summer too with Colin Firth, who starred in his 2005 Film Where the Truth Lies, in an upcoming Drama titled Devil's Knot.  Firth will be starring alongside another Academy Award Winner in Reese Witherspoon, with the Film being based upon the true story of three Men - The West Memphis Three - who wrongfully were convicted of Murder.  Looks like a good one!

Egoyan was at the TIFF Bell Lightbox earlier this evening discussing his 1999 Film, Felicia's Journey before an intimate audience, stopping for a quick Photo on his way in.  Despite his many acclaimed works, my personal guilty pleasure is his 2009 Erotic Thriller, Chloe starring Amanda Seyfried, Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore!

REVIEW: CHLOE

Respected Canadian director Atom Egoyan is back with a love letter to the city he hails from, Toronto. Sony Pictures' Chloe built up quite a bit of buzz at TIFF last fall, receiving the gala treatment.  After much anticipation, it finally gets a proper release.

Chloe is a sexy story that revolves around a doctor Catherine (Julianne Moore), who has doubts about her husband David's (Liam Neeson) fidelity after she checks his cell phone seeing a suggestive message from one of his students. She hires an attractive younger prostitute, Chloe (Amanda Seyfried), to test whether or not he is capable of being seduced, telling her "she thinks her husband would like her".

Catherine continues to convene secretly with Chloe, receiving updates on her progress in seduction. According to Chloe, Catherine's suspicions were correct and tensions mount as Catherine becomes increasingly jealous of her husband's involvement with the prostitute. At the same time, Chloe becomes drawn increasingly to Catherine's vulnerability and goes as far as to befriend her son Michael (Max Thieriot) to solidify her bond further.

In the heat of passion, Catherine also becomes involved with Chloe, in what sounds like something straight out of an after-hours movie on Bravo or Showtime.  The believed affair between Chloe and David then fades to the background, as Catherine and David's marriage begins to crumble with both of them beginning to doubt one another's faithfulness. But it's far too late at this point as Chloe has already become obsessed with Catherine who rejects her.  Chloe's appetite for destruction is  then whet. And she stops at no costs to get what she wants, even seducing Michael at the family home. Things then spiral out of control from here.