Bellocchio famously took on the Catholic Church and the Italian family in his frenetic first film ... Now 40 years later, Bellocchio's attack on the same institutions is calmer and more temperate.

| Original Score: 3/5 | May 17, 2006

Enigmatic and mesmerizing.

| Original Score: 3/4 | May 12, 2006

Never as engaging as the mystery surrounding it.

| Original Score: B | Mar 3, 2006

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

| Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 9, 2005

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

| Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 5, 2005

Exceptionally handsome, somber film.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jul 22, 2005

It's messy and unsettled, but Bellocchio's distaste for the cynicism and mendacity is potent and sincere.

| Original Score: B+ | Jul 21, 2005

It's almost as if screenwriter/director Marco Bellocchio wants to exorcise personal demons rather than entertain.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Jul 1, 2005

The quizzically abrupt ending leaves [too many] questions, and the viewer, hanging.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jul 1, 2005

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.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | May 20, 2005

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

| May 20, 2005

Almost as fearless as its protagonist in taking on the politics of the Catholic Church and the hypocrisies of the religious-minded.

| Apr 9, 2005

Bellocchio's complex drama is held together by the tight and focused performance of Castellitto.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 11, 2005

It's a sly, subtle portrait of systematic hypocrisy (try to count the number of times faith is referred to as an 'insurance policy') and the mysterious way fate binds children to their parents.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 11, 2005

An edgy drama unwinds with an emotional letdown.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Feb 11, 2005

A richly rewarding film for the discerning audience.

| Feb 10, 2005

This superbly filmed Italian drama stands with Bellocchio's best work.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Feb 10, 2005

Uncannily beautiful and deeply humanist.

| Feb 8, 2005

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

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 4, 2003

My Mother's Smile overflows with mildly interesting ideas and characters, but the end result is decidedly tepid.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Jan 12, 2003