Small Engine Repair

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2:12

Small Engine Repair

R

2021

1h 43m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings

Frankie (John Pollono), Swaino (Jon Bernthal) and Packie (Shea Wigham) are lifelong friends who share a love of the Red Sox, rowdy bars and Frankie's teenaged daughter Crystal (Ciara Bravo). But when Frankie invites his pals to a whiskey-fueled evening and asks them to do a favor on behalf of the brash young woman they all adore, events spin wildly out of control. Based on Pollono's award-winning play, Small Engine Repair is a pitch-black comedic drama with a wicked twist and a powerful exploration of brotherhood, class struggle and toxic masculinity.

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Peter Sobczynski

RogerEbert.com

09/10/2021

1/4

Small Engine Repair is little more than 103 minutes of a would-be provocation whose only real advantage is that it's ultimately too dopey to be as offensive as it clearly could have been.

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Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

09/09/2021

4/5

Small Engine Repair is a real American horror story, skillfully shot, perfectly cast and acted, and carrying a sorrowful message that resonates with brutal truth.

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Maya Phillips

New York Times

09/09/2021

Ultimately, the story still feels unfinished, and Pollono's direction falters in the film's big twist, when it tries to balance horror and humor before its tidy resolution.

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John Serba

Decider

02/09/2022

The film’s best quality is the character work by its three leads, who embrace the qualities of their types for comedic effect, and transcend them for dramatic effect.

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Neely Swanson

Easy Reader (California)

01/27/2022

A gem on many different levels.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

12/17/2021

3/4

...a striking debut for an exceedingly promising new filmmaker.

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Jason F

09/25/2021

Written, directed and Starring John Pollono. This was a solid indie film and I did enjoy seeing it on the Big screen. I liked the characters in the film, they felt believable. John Berthal and Shea Whigham were both good, playing childhood friends of Pollono. Ciara Bravo was a bright spot, playing Pollono's daughter. Spenser House was good, as well, playing the rich, douche bag college drug dealer. The movie was dark and gruesome, at times. Which i enjoyed. I wish they would have laid out more of Pollono's characters backstory. If Pollono gets to make another film, I will give it a shot. 3/5 stars.

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Lyman G

09/19/2021

Really enjoyed this new version of the off-Broadway play. I loved the stage play and thought the screen version was perfectly adapted. I saw the stage production back in 2013 and a lot has changed with society and social media. I will definitely recommend this smart and funny film to friends and family.

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Matt S

09/15/2021

Not what I expected, but worth a watch

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Jennifer C

09/15/2021

Unexpected twists, laughs at the right moments, all talented actors, and ask yourself what would you do.

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Brandon O

09/14/2021

Surprisingly good, great acting and all around a great watch.

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alberto

09/13/2021

very nice movie to watch I like the story line it was good

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John Pollono

Director

John Pollono

Frank Romanowski

Jon Bernthal

Terrance Swaino

Shea Whigham

Packie Hanrahan

Ciara Bravo

Crystal Romanoski

Jordana Spiro

Karen Delgado

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Small Engine Repair: Trailer 1

2:12

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Synopsis

Frankie (John Pollono), Swaino (Jon Bernthal) and Packie (Shea Wigham) are lifelong friends who share a love of the Red Sox, rowdy bars and Frankie's teenaged daughter Crystal (Ciara Bravo). But when Frankie invites his pals to a whiskey-fueled evening and asks them to do a favor on behalf of the brash young woman they all adore, events spin wildly out of control. Based on Pollono's award-winning play, Small Engine Repair is a pitch-black comedic drama with a wicked twist and a powerful exploration of brotherhood, class struggle and toxic masculinity.

Director: John Pollono
Producer: Peter Abrams, Jon Bernthal, Rick Rosenthal, Noah Rothman
Screenwriter: John Pollono
Distributor: Vertical Entertainment
Production Co: Canopy Media Partners, Universal Films
Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Drug Use|Crude Sexual Content|Sexual Assault|Strong Violence)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 10, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 30, 2021
Box Office (Gross USA): $73.0K
Runtime: 1h 43m

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