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Small Engine Repair

Play trailer 2:12 Poster for Small Engine Repair R 2021 1h 43m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
78% Tomatometer 51 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings
Frankie (John Pollono), Swaino (Jon Bernthal) and Packie (Shea Wigham) are lifelong friends who share a love of the Red Sox, rowdy bars and Frankie's teenaged daughter Crystal (Ciara Bravo). But when Frankie invites his pals to a whiskey-fueled evening and asks them to do a favor on behalf of the brash young woman they all adore, events spin wildly out of control. Based on Pollono's award-winning play, Small Engine Repair is a pitch-black comedic drama with a wicked twist and a powerful exploration of brotherhood, class struggle and toxic masculinity.
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Small Engine Repair

Critics Reviews

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Peter Sobczynski RogerEbert.com Sep 10, 2021
1/4
Small Engine Repair is little more than 103 minutes of a would-be provocation whose only real advantage is that it's ultimately too dopey to be as offensive as it clearly could have been. Go to Full Review Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Sep 9, 2021
4/5
Small Engine Repair is a real American horror story, skillfully shot, perfectly cast and acted, and carrying a sorrowful message that resonates with brutal truth. Go to Full Review Maya Phillips New York Times Sep 9, 2021
Ultimately, the story still feels unfinished, and Pollono's direction falters in the film's big twist, when it tries to balance horror and humor before its tidy resolution. Go to Full Review Aaron Murray Loud and Clear Reviews Mar 3, 2026
5/5
A shocking and unexpectedly powerful character drama/thriller that demands to be seen and discussed. Go to Full Review John Serba Decider Feb 9, 2022
The film’s best quality is the character work by its three leads, who embrace the qualities of their types for comedic effect, and transcend them for dramatic effect. Go to Full Review Neely Swanson Easy Reader (California) Jan 27, 2022
A gem on many different levels. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jason F Sep 25, 2021 Written, directed and Starring John Pollono. This was a solid indie film and I did enjoy seeing it on the Big screen. I liked the characters in the film, they felt believable. John Berthal and Shea Whigham were both good, playing childhood friends of Pollono. Ciara Bravo was a bright spot, playing Pollono's daughter. Spenser House was good, as well, playing the rich, douche bag college drug dealer. The movie was dark and gruesome, at times. Which i enjoyed. I wish they would have laid out more of Pollono's characters backstory. If Pollono gets to make another film, I will give it a shot. 3/5 stars. See more Lyman G Sep 19, 2021 Really enjoyed this new version of the off-Broadway play. I loved the stage play and thought the screen version was perfectly adapted. I saw the stage production back in 2013 and a lot has changed with society and social media. I will definitely recommend this smart and funny film to friends and family. See more Matt S Sep 15, 2021 Not what I expected, but worth a watch See more Jennifer C Sep 15, 2021 Unexpected twists, laughs at the right moments, all talented actors, and ask yourself what would you do. See more Brandon O Sep 14, 2021 Surprisingly good, great acting and all around a great watch. See more alberto Sep 13, 2021 very nice movie to watch I like the story line it was good See more Read all reviews
Small Engine Repair

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Cast & Crew

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John Pollono

Director

John Pollono

Frank Romanowski

Jon Bernthal

Terrance Swaino

Shea Whigham

Packie Hanrahan

Ciara Bravo

Crystal Romanoski

Jordana Spiro

Karen Delgado

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Small Engine Repair

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Small Engine Repair

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Movie Info

Synopsis Frankie (John Pollono), Swaino (Jon Bernthal) and Packie (Shea Wigham) are lifelong friends who share a love of the Red Sox, rowdy bars and Frankie's teenaged daughter Crystal (Ciara Bravo). But when Frankie invites his pals to a whiskey-fueled evening and asks them to do a favor on behalf of the brash young woman they all adore, events spin wildly out of control. Based on Pollono's award-winning play, Small Engine Repair is a pitch-black comedic drama with a wicked twist and a powerful exploration of brotherhood, class struggle and toxic masculinity.
Director
John Pollono
Producer
Peter Abrams, Jon Bernthal, Rick Rosenthal, Noah Rothman
Screenwriter
John Pollono
Distributor
Vertical Entertainment
Production Co
Canopy Media Partners, Universal Films
Rating
R (Pervasive Language|Drug Use|Crude Sexual Content|Sexual Assault|Strong Violence)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 10, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 30, 2021
Box Office (Gross USA)
$73.0K
Runtime
1h 43m
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