The Etruscan Smile

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1:30

The Etruscan Smile

R

2019

1h 47m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

70%

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23 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Rory, a rugged Scotsman, reluctantly leaves his beloved Hebridean island and travels to San Francisco to seek medical treatment. Moving in with his estranged son, Rory sees his life transformed through a newly found bond with his grandson.

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Critics Consensus

The Etruscan Smile follows a familiar arc -- albeit one deepened by the always reliable Brian Cox in the story's central role.

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Joe Leydon

Variety

Brian Cox gives one of his finest performances in this familiar but affecting drama about a cantankerous Scotsman facing his journey's end.

Apr 5, 2020

Full Review

Eric Kohn

IndieWire

If nothing else, the movie makes a strong case for Cox's astounding resilience, an ability to take even the most routine gig and deepen its potential.

Rated: C+

Apr 3, 2020

Full Review

Roxana Hadadi

AWFJ.org

Rory is often a brute, but The Etruscan Smile forgives that all because he is being authentically himself. But at the cost of every other character?

Feb 25, 2020

Full Review

Tom Beasley

VultureHound

This is all about Cox's performance and, thankfully, he rises to the occasion with a gruff Scottish brogue and a delightful dose of grumpy old man.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 15, 2020

Full Review

Carla Hay

Culture Mix

The Etruscan Smile isn't a groundbreaking film, but it's a compelling character study of how one man deals with a terminal illness and how he tries to right some of the wrongs in his life.

Jul 17, 2020

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The marvelous performance by Brian Cox is what puts a Bonnie proper kilt on the dull narrative and at least makes it bearable.

Rated: B-

Apr 9, 2020

Full Review

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Martin V

I have seen the movie yesterday, broadcasted on a Belgian broadcaster, although I am Dutch. Unbelievable people rate this movie to the tomatoes. I have enjoyed it so much by great acting by Brian Cox. It is not typical American acting and love the humour, typical Scottish. Europe down to earth and its values in a beautiful scenery. And just illustrating normal life where status does not define happiness. Cried , thinking about my own father, who I ❤️ and miss so much of his unexpected death in 2017. I was just married one year and 4 days with the ❤️ of my live, my beautiful lovely Iranian wife. Great cast and what a good looking lady, Rosette Arquette...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

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Cindy H

Heel luchtige familie film, waarin het trieste van het leven. Met een glimlach woedt gespeeld.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

Full Review

Cynthia H

Some might say it's predictable but I don't care. It has beautiful scenery, very likeable and pleasant characters, and a sweet storyline that held my interest to the end (some of you might need a tissue occasionally.) I was never on the edge of my seat, no vulgarity but it is appropriately rated for adults, and there was no blood or gore, and no high-speed chases, just a great movie from which I felt rightly entertained at the end of the credits, because the story continues through the credits for just a bit. Well done!!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A hidden jewel with a minimum of reviews. Thought provoking story about family. Well acted by all. Available on Kanopy streaming.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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Audience Member

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and Brian Cox really does speak Gaelic. It is about death and family. Great scenery too.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

isla s

I really enjoyed this film, as a Scot watching the older dad/grandad not mincing his words (as it were) in America. Its about a serious subject, seeking treatment for cancer but the film is mostly quite light hearted and amusing. I enjoyed the various interactions he had with American locals and how they responded/reacted to him. It was also funny seeing how his relatives reacted to his inability to speak his mind at times!. I liked the depictions of rural Hebridean Scotland and the film itself was quite amusing and a very enjoyable watch overall. Its a somewhat poignant and thought provoking film, perhaps even a feel good film in a sense which I really enjoyed and so I'd happily recommend it, yes.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Oded Binnun

Director

Mihal Brezis

Director

Brian Cox

Rory MacNeil

Rosanna Arquette

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Tim Matheson

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The Etruscan Smile: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Rory, a rugged Scotsman, reluctantly leaves his beloved Hebridean island and travels to San Francisco to seek medical treatment. Moving in with his estranged son, Rory sees his life transformed through a newly found bond with his grandson.

Director: Oded Binnun, Mihal Brezis
Producer: Arthur Cohn
Screenwriter: Michael McGowan, Michal Lali Kagan, Sarah Bellwood
Distributor: Lightyear Entertainment
Production Co: Arthur Cohn Productions, Po Valley Productions
Rating: R (Some Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 1, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 14, 2020
Runtime: 1h 47m

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