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Small Engine Repair

Play trailer Poster for Small Engine Repair 2006 1h 38m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Doug (Iain Glen), a sullen Irishman with a weak spot for country music, rages against the limitations of his small timber town when he finds the courage to record a demo of songs he's been writing in secret for years. Doug's gesture breathes new life into his friends Bill (Steven Mackintosh), a mechanic resigned to a life of quiet desperation, and Burley (Stuart Graham), an ex-con and community outcast who has recently returned after serving time for a hit-and-run.

Critics Reviews

View All (8) Critics Reviews
Martin Hoyle Financial Times Not so much shapelessness as unvaried pace and emotional monotony spoil the engaging Small Engine Repair. Sep 7, 2007 Full Review David Mattin BBC.com It's Glen's brilliantly understated performance of the sensitive, troubled Doug that elevates Small Engine Repair way above the competition; by the end, his small journey of quiet redemption will mean everything to you. Rated: 4/5 Sep 7, 2007 Full Review David Jenkins Time Out It's an admirable first feature from writer-director Niall Heery, but one that never really says anything broader about Irish society or the shackles of fame. Rated: 3/6 Sep 7, 2007 Full Review Neil Smith Film4 Fine performances from Glen and Mackintosh elevate this touching tale of friendship, loyalty and broken dreams. Rated: 3/5 Feb 6, 2018 Full Review David Edwards Daily Mirror (UK) Sure, it's not going to break any box-office records, but this is a poignant, thoughtful film that deserves a wider audience than the handful likely to see it. Rated: 3/5 Sep 7, 2007 Full Review Neil Smith Total Film A poignant character study with a pleasing mid-Atlantic sensibility, Niall Heery's debut feature is ultimately as inconsequential as one of Glen's clichd compositions. Rated: 3/5 Sep 7, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Hallelujah the local Library. Discovered this hidden Irish film gem - Small Engine Repair. Lumberjacks, forests, country music, Irish accents. Weird. So much male angst with the onset of middle age and the realisation that dreams are not enough. The strenght of seeing these wonderful male characters coming to life was powerful, at one point I nearly had to switch it off and it wasnt because of horror or violence. The country music and Iain Glenn's smokey tones were an added bonus. What I would love to have seen is a couple of really interesting female supporting characters who to provide a feminine underlay and hold the sharp edges of this movie but all in all an excellent movie that has been hiding its light under a bushel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0SJwXIKRT8 Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Gritty grim drama which leaves very little to smile about. Really expresses the deprived extistance that rural living can provide Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member not much really happens in this film with some random characters trying to make problems so that something might happen Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member A grim and gritty depiction of strained male working class relationships without focussing in on any distinct plot. It's rough and ready in style which won't suit everyone. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member wow umn just seen this movie 4 the 1st time n think that this is a goos movie 2 watch............its got a good cast of actors/actressess throughout this movie.....i think that Iain glen, laurence kinlan, steven mackintosh, stuart graham, tom murphy play good roles/parts throughout this movie.....i think that the director of this comedy/drama movie had done a good job of directing this movie becuause you never know what 2 expect throughout this movie........i think that this is a really powerful drama movie 2 watch but this is a brilliant comedy/drama movie 2 watch n its got a great cast throughout this movie....this is a great comedy/drama movie 2 watch with a good cast throughout this movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member A great and elegiac film about friendship and human relationships in general. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Small Engine Repair

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Small Engine Repair

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Movie Info

Synopsis Doug (Iain Glen), a sullen Irishman with a weak spot for country music, rages against the limitations of his small timber town when he finds the courage to record a demo of songs he's been writing in secret for years. Doug's gesture breathes new life into his friends Bill (Steven Mackintosh), a mechanic resigned to a life of quiet desperation, and Burley (Stuart Graham), an ex-con and community outcast who has recently returned after serving time for a hit-and-run.
Director
Niall Heery
Producer
Tristan Lynch, Dominic Wright
Screenwriter
Niall Heery
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 38m