63
A thoughtful, provocative film that understandably ruffled a few feathers in its native Italy -- the portrayal of the church is far less than beatific.
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80
The New York Times by A.O. Scott
Though the narrative is spotty, and occasionally confounding, there is an epic warmth in the way it's rendered.
70
In the central role, Castellitto's powerfully focused performance manages to keep the complex drama grounded.
100
Christian Science Monitor by David Sterritt
This superbly filmed Italian drama stands with Bellocchio's best work. Originally titled "Ora di religione."
70
As absurd as the situation gets--and the film occasionally launches into surreal asides that only heighten the absurdity--director and star both keep it grounded in the situation's emotions.
80
"A very odd thriller" is how Italian director Marco Bellocchio describes My Mother's Smile, his uncannily beautiful and deeply humanist exploration of the nightmares that resurface from a Roman atheist's Catholic childhood.
60
TV Guide Magazine by Maitland McDonagh
It's a sly, subtle portrait of systematic hypocrisy.
83
Seattle Post-Intelligencer by Sean Axmaker
It's messy and unsettled, but Bellocchio's distaste for the cynicism and mendacity is potent and sincere.
70
The New Republic by Stanley Kauffmann
At the last, My Mother's Smile conveys that, if Bellocchio is just doggedly hanging on to a career, he is still able to make us feel nostalgia for those high Italian days.