Small Engine Repair
adapt his frolic from the degree to screen , John Pollono writes , directs , and stars inSmall Engine Repair , a film about toxic maleness , the men who fire that finish , and its effects on the char in their lives . Pollono does n’t hold back when it comes to dialog , which is intemperately crass but cohesive , and the strength of it is what in the end carry the picture through to the terminal . WhileSmall Engine Repair’smessage is clear , it does n’t whole take off and is fragmented in its pacing , with a perverted go that does n’t shoot down .
fix in “ Manch - Vegas ” which is a derisive full term used to describe those living in Manchester , New Hampshire ( and helpfully defined at the beginning of the film ) , the story follows Frank ( Pollono ) , an X - yardbird who black market a motorcar shop , and his best admirer Swaino ( Jon Bernthal ) and Packie ( Shea Whigham ) . The trio spend much of their meter crack jest , telling anecdotes , and attempt to understand how social medium kit and caboodle ( thanks to Packie , who knows his means around Instagram ) . Their chemistry hold the film together even when things fall aside , and their camaraderie and parsimony is elevated further by their heart for Frank ’s 17 - year - old girl Crystal ( Ciara Bravo ) , who , among other things , has a complicated history with her mother and Frank ’s estranged X - wife Karen ( Jordana Spiro ) .
Related : Small Engine Repair Clip : Jon Bernthal Learns How To Use Instagram [ EXCLUSIVE ]
Despite Frank not being able to open it , Crystal is on the route to making them all proud after being take into a with child university . The hope for a good future looms like a light breaking through a dark swarm that has followed their lives for years . thing take a dark turn , however , when they sweep paths with a drug dealer , Chad ( Spencer House ) , an case that ultimately change the tone of the film and the direction of the story . Although the motion-picture show is full of spirited ( and testosterone - fueled ) discussions , Small Engine Repairtakes its sweet time get to the crux of the matter of the account , slowly trudging along .
What were once mere anecdotes in the play are accommodate into optic storytelling for the film , with Pollono pulling aside from Swaino telling them a stories of beak up fair sex at a bar to offering flashback that show the upshot . It ’s meant to add layers to a narratively - punishing film , but the flashbacks , include one to Crystal ’s childhood , are often abrupt and disruptive to the story ’s natural and chirpy flow . The moving picture is at its best when Frank , Packie , and Swaino are making verbal jabs at each other , telling stories , and otherwise rough out it up together . In these moments , the performance from Pollono , Bernthal ( who is a distinct talent ) , and Whigham soar as they seamlessly make for off of each other , their verbal spar doing the legwork to establish the celluloid .
And yes , Pollono has a lot to say about the way in which toxic maleness influences manful friendships — with the legal age of the anecdotes bringing up woman while simultaneously objectifying them , hype themselves up in the story while being dismissive of the char — and how it also filters down in its impact on Crystal ’s life . To that end , Small Engine Repairdoes a applaudable job take to job Frank and his friend ’ participation in the very behaviour they essay to exclude down in jerks like the privileged and overtly toxic drug dealer Chad .
However , it ’s in Chad ’s arrival that the film ’s cracks truly begin to show , with Frank craft a violent plan to punish him and using brute force to terrify and drive home a point that becomes too heavy - handed in its approach . Small Engine Repair’sdark and rick crook in its final act is dismal and gruesomely over - the - top , alter the darkly comedic nature of the film and sending it into a purely dark dominion . The film end on a hopeful note , but it feels rather empty considering all that came before .
Next : The Voyeurs Review : Mohan ’s Erotic Thriller Is Equal Parts Silly & Serious
Small Engine Repairis now playing in theater . The celluloid is 103 moment long and is rated R for permeating language , raw sexual content , potent force , a sexual violation , and drug utilization .
Small Engine Repair is a dark comedy-drama directed by John Pollono. The film stars John Pollono, Shea Whigham, and Jon Bernthal as lifelong friends Frank, Swaino, and Packie, who reunite at Frank’s repair shop for a seemingly ordinary night. However, tensions rise and secrets are revealed as the evening takes a dramatic turn
Small Engine Repair is a dark-skinned comedy - play directed by John Pollono . The motion-picture show stars John Pollono , Shea Whigham , and Jon Bernthal as lifelong friends Frank , Swaino , and Packie , who reunify at Frank ’s repair shop for a on the face of it ordinary night . However , tensions rise and secrets are revealed as the evening demand a dramatic turn
