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      Emile

      R Released Jan 9, 2004 1 hr. 31 min. Drama List
      57% 23 Reviews Tomatometer 62% 1,000+ Ratings Audience Score Emile (Ian McKellen), a retired professor, returns to his Canadian hometown to receive an award after decades of living in England. The trip spurs memories of his troubled relationship with his brothers, Carl (Chris William Martin) and Freddy (Tygh Runyan). Stopping by the family farm, Emile visits with his niece, Nadia (Deborah Kara Unger), but their reunion isn't easy. As Emile tries to win Nadia's forgiveness for earlier mistakes, he forms a connection with her young daughter (Theo Crane). Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Dec 01 Buy Now

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      Critics Consensus

      Emile benefits from a typically outstanding Ian McKellen performance, but a frustratingly circuitous approach undercuts the effectiveness of a potentially affecting story.

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      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member This is about memory and nostalgia. Competent but nothing noteworthy. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member The story had promise, but the editing made it incredibly hard to follow. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Not reassuring, all of these reviews. I bought the dvd a while back and may have tried to watch it but I believe I sold it to a second hand store then more recently "bought it back" and I will finally try and watch it tonight. Until this point, I'd been catching up on season 1 of Dallas...I wonder if this movie will be worth the wait or if any of these reviewers can be trusted for their opinions and evaluations of the film and characters? This movie was worth the wait and the patience to see it through and no: Scott Foundas, Elizabeth Weitzman, V.A. Musetto, Stephen Holden and David Blaylock cannot be trusted for their opinions and in fact, I suggest that all of them need to find another line of work. Emile is an unusual, sad, sometimes uplifting look at an older man who is the lone survivor of three brothers who once worked a Saskatchewan farm. Emile left for England for studies (realistic?) and never returned to see either brother and in fact, failed to come back for his niece who was orphaned not just by her parents but also her grandparents. Emile finally returns to Canada for an honorary award and to see the last two members of family that he has but has never really known. He comes to stay with the two relatives who are already feeling awkward with one another due to marital trouble and growing pains and they slowly get to know each other and he plays a part in reconciling the daughter to her mother. 10/10 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member Slow, comtemplative and reflective like the old man it portrays. Also touching, compelling, well-acted with characters I cared about. Beautifully filmed in British Columbia. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member another touching drama between past and present, mckellen is great. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member A movie about the power of words. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (23) Critics Reviews
      Scott Foundas Variety A routine memory piece about long-buried family secrets that bubble back to the surface to wreak havoc. Mar 4, 2005 Full Review Elizabeth Weitzman New York Daily News Confusing the profound with the pretentious, director Bessai packs the story with elliptical, ominous flashbacks that undercut all the advances he makes with the contemporary tale. Rated: 2/4 Mar 4, 2005 Full Review V.A. Musetto New York Post Tenderly touches our emotions. Rated: 3/4 Mar 4, 2005 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 3.5/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Ken Fox TV Guide Sensitively played but ultimately undone by its unconventional approach. Rated: 2.5/5 Mar 4, 2005 Full Review David Sterritt Christian Science Monitor Poignant and well acted, though not very memorable. Rated: 3/4 Feb 17, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Emile (Ian McKellen), a retired professor, returns to his Canadian hometown to receive an award after decades of living in England. The trip spurs memories of his troubled relationship with his brothers, Carl (Chris William Martin) and Freddy (Tygh Runyan). Stopping by the family farm, Emile visits with his niece, Nadia (Deborah Kara Unger), but their reunion isn't easy. As Emile tries to win Nadia's forgiveness for earlier mistakes, he forms a connection with her young daughter (Theo Crane).
      Director
      Carl Bessai
      Executive Producer
      Jonathan English, Arvi Liimatainen
      Screenwriter
      Carl Bessai
      Distributor
      BV International Pictures [no]
      Production Co
      Emile Productions Inc.
      Rating
      R (Language)
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jan 9, 2004, Wide
      Release Date (DVD)
      Apr 26, 2005
      Sound Mix
      Surround
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