[go: up one dir, main page]

    Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily Entertainment GuideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsPride MonthAmerican Black Film FestivalSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

L'étrange monsieur Peppino

Original title: L'imbalsamatore
  • 2002
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
3.1K
YOUR RATING
L'étrange monsieur Peppino (2002)
DramaRomance

A solitary embalmer meets a charming and unemployed waiter who becomes his assistant, but the two get involved in a morbid and unhealthy professional and personal relationship.A solitary embalmer meets a charming and unemployed waiter who becomes his assistant, but the two get involved in a morbid and unhealthy professional and personal relationship.A solitary embalmer meets a charming and unemployed waiter who becomes his assistant, but the two get involved in a morbid and unhealthy professional and personal relationship.

  • Director
    • Matteo Garrone
  • Writers
    • Ugo Chiti
    • Massimo Gaudioso
    • Matteo Garrone
  • Stars
    • Ernesto Mahieux
    • Valerio Foglia Manzillo
    • Elisabetta Rocchetti
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    3.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Matteo Garrone
    • Writers
      • Ugo Chiti
      • Massimo Gaudioso
      • Matteo Garrone
    • Stars
      • Ernesto Mahieux
      • Valerio Foglia Manzillo
      • Elisabetta Rocchetti
    • 15User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
    • 71Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 16 wins & 21 nominations total

    Photos7

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 2
    View Poster

    Top cast29

    Edit
    Ernesto Mahieux
    Ernesto Mahieux
    • Peppino Profeta
    Valerio Foglia Manzillo
    • Valerio
    Elisabetta Rocchetti
    Elisabetta Rocchetti
    • Deborah
    Lina Bernardi
    Lina Bernardi
    • Deborah's Mother
    Pietro Biondi
    • Deborah's Father
    Marcella Granito
    • Manuela
    Giuseppe Arena
    • Workshop's Owner
    • (as Beppe Arena)
    Bernardino Terracciano
    • Boss
    Rosario J. Gnolo
    • Entrepreneur
    Vincenzo Puocci
    • Gangbanger #1
    Renato Puocci
    • Gangbanger #2
    Valentino Puocci
    • Gangbanger #3
    Aldo Leonardi
    • Deborah's Boss
    Nadia Carlomagno
    • Peppino's Friend #1
    Rita Brugnoli
    • Peppino's Friend #2
    Livia Rasetti
    • Peppino's Friend #3
    Salvatore Felaco
    • Dead #1
    Ferdinando Iannucci
    • Dead #2
    • Director
      • Matteo Garrone
    • Writers
      • Ugo Chiti
      • Massimo Gaudioso
      • Matteo Garrone
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews15

    7.03.1K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    8EnserNG

    Interesting, a bit darker type of film worth taking the evening to see

    From beginning to end, the artful use of cinematography is exact. The director conveys the emotion through the use of scenery, "natural" lighting, or lack thereof, and the soundtrack.

    The production team and cast did a great job of taking words on paper and creating an original, thought evoking film that has no real category. A sort of twisted love story with a rather unexpected ending, where you are compelled to see what happens next by a feeling of expectation and suspense, not knowing when some major event will happen and actually being surprised when they do.

    The actors do a great job of conveying the emotions, thoughts, and tensions in every scene, especially Ernesto Mahieux and Valerio Foglia Manzillo.

    Unlike many subtitled films, whoever performed the English translation seems to have converted the Italian flawlessly- bravo to them.

    A film that is not likely to see wide distribution, and comes across as not trying to do so. More emphasis seems to be on the personal connection with each viewer, who then takes an interest in the storyline and anxiously awaits the rest of the story.

    Possibly a gateway film for those interested in Film Noire or who simply want to take a break from the usual with a bit "darker" film- worth the viewing charge.
    9latinese

    Top Quality Italian Noir

    It's a noir, no doubt... you even have the dark lady. Take three excellent actors, a well-chosen setting, a young and talented director, and you have L'imbalsamatore. Once again, when an Italian director is really good, like Sergio Leone, he can take an American film genre, turn it upside down and make a great Italian movie. However, Garrone proved how good he is not just by filming this, but by making another masterpiece, that is, Gomorra. If you like this one, try also the other movie. Basically one of the plots of Gomorra is set in the same places where L'imbalsamatore is set.

    Another important element of the film is the landscape. When Italian directors are at their best, they can render landscape like no one. Garrone can do this with the wastelands of Northern Campania.

    Hats off, then, to Ernesto Mahieux, who delivers an impressive performance that you won't forget easily...
    8insomniac_rod

    Disturbingly moving. Loneliness isn't justified.

    A fantastic dramatic feature that uses the conventional exploitation features. Peppino is a man who suffers from dwarfism and he can't handle it because he's a lonely man who needs attention, love, and most of all, company. His work is creepy enough to keep people away from him; he's an embalmer who has nexus with the mafia of Napoli.

    Suddenly he meets the young and handsome Valerio who quickly becomes his best friend because he treats Peppino like a normal person although he's discriminated by a part of society. Peppino suddenly becomes obsessed with him to the point that both their lives are at risk.

    Everything turns into a nightmare when Valerio meets and then falls in love with the spectacular and sexy Deborah. Peppino becomes very jealous and does everything possible to keep the couple separated. Sadly enough, his dark intentions lead to a sad and moving ending...

    This movie is not 100% exploitation because it's made on a solid plot structure and character development. I would consider this as an Art film with slight exploitation references and black comedy issues.

    For example, when I mention exploitation I put as an example Valerio's dream (or nightmare?) where Peppino comes into his bedroom at night and tries to do him oral sex. That scene hints the audience that Peppino is sexually attracted to Valerio even though they party with prostitutes, drinks, and women in general.

    Anyways, this movie also displays the complex relationships between a woman-man couple, and a friendship between a physically normal young man and a man with dwarfism. Not a common movie for Hollywood's standards.

    I totally recommend this movie for those who are tired of Hollywood's crap.

    Oh and I have to mention that it features some DELIGHTFULLY BEAUTIFUL places from the always spectacular Italy. I'm glad I had the chance to visit some places.

    A beautiful movie with a STRONG message.

    Ernesto Mahieux ... Peppino Valerio Foglia Manzillo ... Valerio Elisabetta Rocchetti ... Deborah
    8jaieinmiami

    The Dwarf and the Hunk

    A vision of the psychological extremes that unrequited erotic obsessions can create, L'IMBALSAMATORE has a deceptively placid surface.

    Peppino, a dwarfish, homely-looking taxidermist with horrible teeth, takes an interest in Valerio, a gorgeous young man who is biding his time unproductively as a food runner in a cheap restaurant. Peppino takes Valerio on as assistant, even though he can't really afford it, and Valerio is overwhelmed with gratitude for the mentorship. But Peppino's attitude soon begins to take on uncomfortably sexual and possessive overtones, that everyone except Valerio sees - at first.

    L'IMBALSAMATORE has an opaque atmosphere of unease. Like THE VANISHING, much of it is shot in cheerful, sunny daylight, and there is plenty of light-hearted humor; like MONSIEUR HIRE, you can't be sure if what seems creepy is your own prejudice or a genuine malice.

    Matteo Garrone builds the erotic tension to an almost unbearable intensity. This is an audacious picture that plays with perception and memory; we can never be sure if what we are seeing is really happening, or occurring only in Peppino's twisted fantasies, or in Valerio's bewildered daydreams. Reality and fantasy blur. L'IMBALSAMATORE is feverish and spellbinding.
    8borgolarici

    A marginalised fairytale

    A story of haunted people from haunted places that doesn't end well. Loosely based on a true story, this is movie is a more of a grim fairytale in which the characters are marginalised people who live in squalor. Definitely not a feel-good movie but worth watching.

    More like this

    Primo amore
    6.6
    Primo amore
    Le mari de la femme à barbe
    7.3
    Le mari de la femme à barbe
    Reality
    6.8
    Reality
    Le quattro volte
    7.2
    Le quattro volte
    Les enfants volés
    7.6
    Les enfants volés
    Break-up, érotisme et ballons rouges
    7.0
    Break-up, érotisme et ballons rouges
    L'argent de la vieille
    7.5
    L'argent de la vieille
    Les Monstres
    7.4
    Les Monstres
    Toto qui vécut deux fois
    6.9
    Toto qui vécut deux fois
    Saint-Michel avait un coq
    7.2
    Saint-Michel avait un coq
    Palombella rossa
    7.1
    Palombella rossa
    Dogman
    7.2
    Dogman

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The movie is loosely based on a true fact, the murder of taxidermist Domenico Semeraro by his protege in 1990.
    • Soundtracks
      Mad Samoan
      Written by Francesco Lopresti

      Performed by Bradipos Four

      Courtesy of the author

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ17

    • How long is The Embalmer?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 14, 2004 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • Italy
    • Official site
      • Official site (Italy)
    • Language
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • L'embaumeur
    • Filming locations
      • Castel Volturno, Caserta, Campania, Italy
    • Production companies
      • Fandango
      • Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali (MiBAC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $56,878
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $10,313
      • Jul 20, 2003
    • Gross worldwide
      • $384,336
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39:1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    L'étrange monsieur Peppino (2002)
    Top Gap
    What is the Spanish language plot outline for L'étrange monsieur Peppino (2002)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb app
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb app
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.