My Mother's Smile Movie Review 2002

Controversial drama about religion and family. Artist--and atheist--Ernesto (Castellitto) is disdainful when he learns from a church emissary that his deceased mother (Conti) is a candidate for canonization. Ernesto loathed his pious, cold mother, who was murdered by his mentally unstable brother, and his attitude deepens the rift with his family, who are looking at monetary and social gains should the beatification take place. Both melodramatic and mystical, the narrative is also sometimes puzzling. Italian with subtitles.

Distribution

New Yorker Video, 16 W. 61st St., 11th Fl., New York, NY 10023, Phone: (212)645-4600, Toll-free: 800-447-0196, Fax: (212)645-3030, Email: info@newyorkerfilms.com, URL: http://www.newyorkerfilms.com

Available on DVD
Running time 103 minutes.
Originally from Italian.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Religion, Art & Artists, Nuns & Priests, Italy, Family Drama, Saints

Screenplay

Marco Bellocchio

Cast

Sergio Castellitto, Jacqueline Lustig, Chiara Conti, Alberto Mondini, Gianni Schicchi, Maurizio Donadoni, Gigio Alberti

Cinematography

Pasquale Mari

Director

Marco Bellocchio

Music

Riccardo Giagni

Other

Maurizio Argentieri, Francesca Calvelli, Sergio Ballo, Marco Dentici

Producer

Marco Bellocchio, Sergio Pelone, RAI, Filmalbatros, Istituto Luce