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Emile

Play trailer Poster for Emile R 2004 1h 31m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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55% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
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).
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Emile

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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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Critics Reviews

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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

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
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Cast & Crew

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Carl Bessai

Director

Ian McKellen

Emile

Deborah Kara Unger

Nadia (as Deborah Kara Unger)

Theo Crane

Maria

Chris Martin

Carl

Tygh Runyan

Freddy

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Emile

Emile (2003) Emile (2003) Emile (2003) Emile (2003) View more photos

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
Producer
Carl Bessai
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
Runtime
1h 31m
Sound Mix
Surround
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