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The Embalmer

Play trailer Poster for The Embalmer Released Jul 18, 2003 1h 41m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
81% Tomatometer 32 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 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.
The Embalmer

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Intriguingly creepy and unsettling.

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Critics Reviews

View All (32) Critics Reviews
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

View All (23) audience reviews
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
The Embalmer

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Cast & Crew

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Matteo Garrone

Director

Ernesto Mahieux

Peppino Profeta

Valerio Foglia Manzillo

Valerio

Elisabetta Rocchetti

Deborah

Lina Bernardi

Madre di Deborah

Pietro Biondi

Padre di Deborah

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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
Producer
Domenico Procacci
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