Director: Matteo Garrone
Country of origin and year: Italy, 2002
Language:Italian
Subtitles: English (USA R1)
Bonus Features subtitled?: unknown

"The Embalmer" is a bewitching film about a short, aged man named Peppino, who stuffs animals for a living. He also has connections with the local mafiso, where he does "favours" for the godfather by using his speciality skills to stuff drugs in the corpses to be transported elsewhere. His appearance creeps us out, yet he is an eloquent speaker, captivating anyone he charms. It is as if it can be compared to the stuffed animals; they creep us out but also awe us.

One day, Peppino strolls around the zoo and becomes infatuated with a beautiful, tall man named Valerio. Peppino goes up and introduces himself to Valerio, and talks about the animals and his job. Eventually, they agree to contact each other again soon. Shortly afterwards, we see Valerio coming to Peppino's shop to see the stuffed animals. He offers Valerio an apprenticeship at his shop with an elevated salary (which he can afford, thanks to his sinster connections to the local godfather.) Valerio accepts and leaves his cooking job to work at Peppino's shop.

One day, Valerio is asked to drive his boss to Camorra, which is known as the hotspot of the local mafiso organisation. Valerio questions Peppino about why he is going to Camorra, which Peppino does not answer. As luck would have it, the truck breaks down, and Valerio is forced to wait at the hotel close to the garage, whilst Peppino goes off to conduct his felonious affair. Whilst at the hotel, Valerio is enamoured by the receptionist, Deborah. When Deborah is kicked out of the hotel for stealing money, she joins with Valerio and Peppino, lying that she has friends in Roma and that she would like to be dropped off there.

Essentially, this film becomes a love triangle with two characters (Peppino and Deborah) vying for Valerio's affection. Things go awry to a point where stalking and obession become scary for everyone involved. The film is sublimely filmed amidst a lot of gloomy and dark foggy landscape, which offers us a picture of the souls living there. The life there in the countryside is nothing but sad and dreary, and people want to escape. The characters and the story are well written, and very engaging for us who watch. I give this filme 3 1/2 stars.