My Mother's Smile

This superbly filmed Italian drama stands with Bellocchio's best work. Originally titled "Ora di religione."

Though the narrative is spotty, and occasionally confounding, there is an epic warmth in the way it's rendered.

In his best film in years, Marco Bellocchio crafts a stringently moral tale that carries a hint of horror.

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

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.

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

It's a sly, subtle portrait of systematic hypocrisy.