Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

The Pencil

Play trailer Poster for The Pencil 2019 1h 32m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 1 Reviews 100% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Antonina, an artist from Saint Petersburg, follows her husband, a political prisoner, to the deep north province of Russia. As she starts teaching art in a local school, she finds herself opposed by a 12-year-old boy, Misha, whose brother is a feared local gang leader.
Watch on Prime Video Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Pencil

Critics Reviews

View All (1) Critics Reviews
Panos Kotzathanasis Asian Movie Pulse "The Pencil" is a film that combines thriller aesthetics with pointy social commentary artfully, thus succeeding in providing both entertainment and food for thought. May 6, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (5) audience reviews
Sabrina P Loved this movie. The Pencil tells a story of utter failure when society stops caring. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/04/23 Full Review Dennis M A perfect film, right down to the soundtrack. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/29/23 Full Review Ed P A brilliant immersion into a provincial Russian life ruled by bullying, misdeeds, apathy, and fear. No spoilers, but, amid the desperation, hope emerges in the form of a nurturing outsider. I loved every moment of this cinematic masterpiece. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/13/23 Full Review Djielle T I loved the cinematography. The lead actress and the supporting cast were excellent. The moments when children became inspired by art were uplifting. The way the climate of bullying in the school was a reflection of the gangster influence in the town was an effective dramatic hook. The teachers despair that anything could be changed echoed a classic intelligencia trope about "the Russian soul" dating back to Tsarist days, and the great novels of the 19th century. The film, to me, was a moving. and illustrative metaphor for the criminal oligarchy that seems to have Russia in its grasp and the suffering of those who resist it and pragmatic passivity of those who endure it. The inconclusive ending was perfect. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/01/23 Full Review roderick s A sublime film told in the heart of rural Russia with real actors playing out parts in a story of art and empathy and the hard nose truths of impoverished souls caught in the emptiness of life. The pencil becomes a metaphor for a tool of change and a way out of despair and loneliness. The Pencil draws a sharp picture of the Russian soul lost in the turn of history. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Pencil

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis Antonina, an artist from Saint Petersburg, follows her husband, a political prisoner, to the deep north province of Russia. As she starts teaching art in a local school, she finds herself opposed by a 12-year-old boy, Misha, whose brother is a feared local gang leader.
Director
Natalya Nazarova
Screenwriter
Natalya Nazarova
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Russian
Runtime
1h 32m
Most Popular at Home Now