DVD Review: Next of Kin (B)

Next of Kin (1984)
Directed by Atom Egoyan
Starring Patrick Tierney, Arsine Khanjian, Thomas Tierney and Sirvart Fazlian
MPAA: UR
Grade: B

Review by Scott Standish

An early Atom Egoyan film (1984) that has recently been released on DVD, Next of Kin is worth seeking out. Exploring familiar Egoyan themes (family turmoil, voyeurism and video), Next of Kin shows the young filmmaker's talents at their rawest.

Peter Foster is 23 and lives at home. He has a lack of personality in general, and his parents do just about everything for him. The parents are concerned about his sheltered personality (even though they are the cause of this dysfunction) and take the boy to a counselor. While Peter is in counseling he discovers a video tape of a couple discussing their long lost son. Peter decides to impersonate the boy and ingratiate himself into their lives. He learns that all families have their own problems, but along the way he learns to be more independent and secure.

Next of Kin is never boring, even with the trademarked slow-pace style that Egoyan is known for. The camera work is a bit shallow and the art direction is minimal. However, the acting is quite good for such a low budget, independent film. Egoyan fans will not be disappointed.

Buy Next of Kin On DVD