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      The Embalmer

      Released Jul 18, 2003 1h 41m Drama List
      81% Tomatometer 32 Reviews 70% Audience Score 500+ Ratings Peppino (Ernesto Mahieux) is a skilled but lonely taxidermist until he crosses paths with Valerio (Valerio Foglia Manzillo), a handsome waiter in search of a better job. Peppino is strangely attracted to the charismatic young man and offers him a cushy position as his apprentice. To curry favor with his pretty-boy aide, Peppino lavishes him with gifts. But when Valerio meets the beautiful Deborah (Elisabetta Rocchetti), a twisted love triangle evolves that can only spell disaster. Read More Read Less
      The Embalmer

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      Critics Consensus

      Intriguingly creepy and unsettling.

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      Critics Reviews

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      Gary Dowell Dallas Morning News In spite of some stiltedness, The Embalmer is an oft-intriguing examination of unquenched desire and the power of beauty. Rated: B- Dec 11, 2003 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Masterful at concealing its true nature and surprising us with the turns of the story. Rated: 3/4 Nov 14, 2003 Full Review Michael Wilmington Chicago Tribune The movie, a keen look at the way passion unravels and obsession destroys, creates a black mood, a sense of truth and an enduring chill that stay with you. Rated: 3/4 Nov 13, 2003 Full Review Pamela Troy culturevulture.net A twisted and fascinating tale, with a climax that's as logical as it is unexpected May 22, 2004 Full Review Kent Turner Film-Forward.com [Actor Ernesto] Mahieux adds layers of gentleness and false bravado in what could have been a stereotypical role. Rated: 2.75/5 Apr 19, 2004 Full Review Frank Swietek One Guy's Opinion Despite its virtues, the picture comes across rather like something that has itself been disinterred from the fairly remote past. Rated: C+ Dec 29, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      nefasto r Le atmosfere di Garrone mi fanno sempre rabbrividire. Gran bel fim. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member The director knows where he can stuff it! (pun intended) Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Definitely one of the best Italian movie of recent years. The movie manages to create and maintain, for its entire duration, a disturbing and mysterious atmosphere and also a high degree of realism, thanks to the naturalness of the acting. A timeless story about the cruelty of nature and the impossibility of being normal. Very good. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Definitely one of the best Italian movie of recent years. The movie manages to create and maintain, for its entire duration, a disturbing and mysterious atmosphere and also a high degree of realism, thanks to the naturalness of the acting. A timeless story about the cruelty of nature and the impossibility of being normal. Very good. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Forse uno dei film italiani davvero originali degli ultimi anni. Girato tra due città anomale, Caserta e Cremona, un nano imbalsamatore colluso con la mafia, un giovane alla ricerca di un punto di riferimento, una donna dalla labbra rifatte che si inserisce nel loro strano rapporto. con una regia, degli attori e una confezione veramente innovativi in Italia. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Tra una sporca e triste Campania e un'uggiosa e altrettanto triste Cremona, questo film narra la storia di due persone. Forse di tre. E' l'unica cosa che si può dire di questo film. E' malinconico spesso e volentieri, ma oltre a questo non si capisce cos'altro voglia essere. Una storia d'amore? Una storia di tradimenti? Una storia di criminalità? O forse nessuno degli esempi portati. Ernesto Mahieux è super, gli altri si arrangiano come possono. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Embalmer

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis Peppino (Ernesto Mahieux) is a skilled but lonely taxidermist until he crosses paths with Valerio (Valerio Foglia Manzillo), a handsome waiter in search of a better job. Peppino is strangely attracted to the charismatic young man and offers him a cushy position as his apprentice. To curry favor with his pretty-boy aide, Peppino lavishes him with gifts. But when Valerio meets the beautiful Deborah (Elisabetta Rocchetti), a twisted love triangle evolves that can only spell disaster.
      Director
      Matteo Garrone
      Screenwriter
      Ugo Chiti, Matteo Garrone, Massimo Gaudioso
      Distributor
      Four Ways Features, First Run
      Production Co
      Fandango
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      Italian
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jul 18, 2003, Original
      Release Date (DVD)
      May 18, 2004
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $56.3K
      Runtime
      1h 41m
      Sound Mix
      Dolby Digital, Surround