L' Ora di Religione (Il Sorriso di Mia Madre) (The Religion Hour) (My Mother's Smile) poster & wallpaper
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Sergio Castellitto, Jacqueline Lustig, Chiara Conti, Alberto Mondini, Gianni Schicchi ... see more see more... , Maurizio Donadoni , Gigio Alberti , Bruno Cariello , Renzo Rossi , Piera Degli Esposti , Donato Placido , Gianfelice Imparato , Pietro De Silva , Toni Bertorelli

Ernesto (Sergio Castellitto of Va Savoir) is a successful artist and devout atheist who finds out that his mother, whom he despised, is being considered for sainthood. Ernesto's young son, Leonardo (A... read more read more...lberto Mondini), influenced by his religion teacher, has developed a fear of God, whom he tries to shoo away like a pest. "If He's everywhere," Leonardo reasons, "then I'm not free -- even for a second." Ernesto's estranged wife, Irene (Jacqueline Lustig), encourages Leonardo's faith, and seems to be on the side of Ernesto's family, who are greedily clamoring to get Ernesto to participate in the canonization process. His mentally unstable brother, Egidio (Donato Placido), who will speak only to Ernesto, murdered their mother years earlier, and holds the key to her beatification. At a party, Ernesto insults a deranged monarchist, Conte Bulla (Toni Bertorelli), who then challenges him to a duel. Ernesto goes to complain to Leonardo's religion teacher, expecting to find an ugly old woman, and instead finds Diana (Chiara Conti), an impossibly beautiful young woman who admires his work. Ernesto meets the Cardinal (Maurizio Donadoni), and tells the man that his mother was "stupid" and "had no passion." "Loving someone is the best way to declare my atheism," he declares. But as he gets caught up in all the intrigue, Ernesto recognizes a connection to his hated mother that he cannot escape; he has the same mocking smile. Marco Bellocchio's My Mother's Smile was shown at the 2002 New York Film Festival and at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival, where it won a Special Mention for the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

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74% liked it

627 ratings

Critics

84% liked it

25 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 43 min.

Directed by: Marco Bellocchio

Release Date: April 19, 2002

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DVD Release Date: May 16, 2006

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Stats: 35 reviews

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on the set of 'L'ora di religione' (2002) Ernesto Erminio Irene Diana brothers Sergio Castellitto and Gigio Alberti Sergio Castellitto and Maurizio Donadoni 'L'ora di religione' Irene Diana 'L'ora di religione' duel Ernesto mother's smile Ernesto Chiara Conti and Sergio Castellitto Ernesto
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Flixster Reviews (35)

  • gator681
    March 9, 2007
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]In "My Mother's Smile", Ernesto(Sergio Castellitto, who is superb), an artist, is dumbstruck when he is approached one day with the news that his mother is in the final stages of being nominated for sainthood by the Vatican and is asked to testify. This only... read more causes old wounds to be reopened since his mother was killed some years before by his mentally ill brother. Making matters even worse, this is a campaign that has been waged for three years and this is the first that Ernesto is hearing of it.[/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]Further putting Ernesto's [/font][font=Century Gothic]atheism to the test, is his 7-year old son, Leonardo(Alberto Mondini), having been taught some very mature theories on the nature of life and death by his religious teacher. Ernesto goes to his school to confront her...[/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]Written and directed by Marco Bellocchio, "My Mother's Smile" is a provocative and elegant movie about how religion attempts to twist the mundane into the supernatural for its own purposes, aided by the hypocrisy of those who seek to benefit. And through Ernesto, the movie has the perfect vessel to comment on how status is applied in society.[/font]
  • dahveedgr
    May 29, 2007
    dahveedgr
    I was moved by Castellitto's performance. This movie is loaded with subtleness and intelligent beauty. Search for both!

View All L' Ora di Religione (Il Sorriso di Mia Madre) (The Religion Hour) (My Mother's Smile) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Curiel
September 9, 2005
Jonathan Curiel, San Francisco Chronicle

An artful look at religious hypocrisy, interfamily dynamics and the way people wrestle with personal history long after the original events are over. Full Review

Ty Burr
August 5, 2005
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

It's a bit of a mess but strong stuff nevertheless. Full Review

Carrie Rickey
May 20, 2005
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

It is a riveting, rich portrait of an atheist who thinks he's resistant to faith but may be in the throes of a feverish conversion.

David Rooney
May 20, 2005
David Rooney, Variety

In the central role, Castellitto's powerfully focused performance manages to keep the complex drama grounded. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
February 11, 2005
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

Far from a blasphemy, My Mother's Smile is the story of one man's journey back to belief. Full Review

Debra Birnbaum
February 11, 2005
Debra Birnbaum, New York Post

An edgy drama unwinds with an emotional letdown.

Andrew Sarris
February 10, 2005
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

A richly rewarding film for the discerning audience. Full Review

Leslie Camhi
February 8, 2005
Leslie Camhi, Village Voice

Uncannily beautiful and deeply humanist. Full Review

Elvis Mitchell
November 4, 2003
Elvis Mitchell, New York Times

Marco Bellocchio's expansive, memorable film floats and plummets like a box kite in a storm on drafts of melodrama, mysticism and humor. Full Review

Kirk Honeycutt
June 4, 2002
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter

The movie never gives us much reason to sympathize with its hero's plight.

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