The moral compass for "Adoration" seems way off base. The film appears to argue that good things result from telling a lie. Even when it is a lie that may endanger lives.

More frustrating for viewers is the fact that the film keeps changing focus. At various times it appears to be a dramatic thriller, a racial intolerance think piece, a mystery and a serious exploration of dysfunctional family dynamics.

As such, it will likely test the limits of some viewers, though those with patience may find a few things to like. There's definitely no shortage of ideas, that's for sure.

Devon Bostick stars as Simon, an orphaned teen. He's a good student, though of late he's been weaving a fictional tale that he's been telling his classmates.

According to Simon, his late mother (Rachel Blanchard) was an unwitting terrorist, one who was set up by his biological father (Noam Jenkins) — he tried to get her to smuggle a bomb onboard a flight.

That's not really the case, though. Simon's been encouraged to create a school controversy by performing a "social experiment." His accomplice is a teacher, Sabine (Arsinee Khanjian), who appears to have ulterior motives for the ruse.

Another story thread looks at Simon's relationship with his embittered uncle and guardian, Tom (a bearded Scott Speedman).And flashback sequences also show how things really were between his parents — as well as their tempestuous relationship with Simon's bigoted grandfather (Kenneth Welsh).

The film comes from Canadian screenwriter/director Atom Egoyan, who rarely offers easy answers and often challenges his audiences.

It's not completely clear what he's trying to say with this film. Its motivations are a bit murky, though some of the concepts are interesting and the cast is good.

Bostick ("Saw IV") is sympathetic as Simon, despite some of his actions. And the resulting squabbles between Tom and Sabine work because of the performances given by Speedman and Khanjian (Egoyan's off-screen partner).

"Adoration" is rated R and features strong sexual profanity and other curse words, derogatory slurs and language (some based on race and ethnic origins), a brief sex scene (implied) and other sexual contact, and some brief violent content (an automobile accident). Running time: 100 minutes.

e-mail: jeff@desnews.com