L' Imbalsamatore (The Embalmer) (The Taxidermist) (2002)
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81% of critics liked it
(32 reviews) -
66% of users liked it
(816 ratings)
Matteo Garrone's The Embalmer tells the sad story of a love triangle. Peppino (Ernesto Mahieux), a mob-connected dwarf who works as a taxidermist, establishes a working relationship with Valerio (Valerio Foglia Manzillo), who loves animals. The closeted Peppino, who carries a torch for Valerio,… More Matteo Garrone's The Embalmer tells the sad story of a love triangle. Peppino (Ernesto Mahieux), a mob-connected dwarf who works as a taxidermist, establishes a working relationship with Valerio (Valerio Foglia Manzillo), who loves animals. The closeted Peppino, who carries a torch for Valerio, is threatened when Valerio takes up with Deborah (Elisabetta Rocchetti), who moves in with the pair. Soon the tension leads to horrible acts committed by and on the different members of the group. The Embalmer was screened at the Director's Fortnight during the 2002 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- Directed By
- Matteo Garrone
- Written By
- Ugo Chiti, Matteo Garrone, Massimo Gaudioso
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Sep 6, 2002 Wide
- Studio
- First Run Features
Critic Reviews
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Gary Dowell, Dallas Morning News
In spite of some stiltedness, The Embalmer is an oft-intriguing examination of unquenched desire and the power of beauty.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Masterful at concealing its true nature and surprising us with the turns of the story.
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Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
The movie, a keen look at the way passion unravels and obsession destroys, creates a black mood, a sense of truth and an enduring chill that stay with you.
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Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Seductive, suspenseful psychological drama.
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Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
Mahieux ... builds a character so relentlessly powerful and creepy that The Embalmer leaves an aftertaste -- we can practically smell him.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
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Cast
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Ernesto Mahieux
as Peppino
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Valerio Foglia Manzillo
as Valerio
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Elisabetta Rocchetti
as Deborah
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Lina Bernardi
as Deborah's mother
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Pietro Biondi
as Deborah's father
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Bernardino Terracciano
as Boss
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Marcella Granito
as Manuela
