Small Engine Repair

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2:12

Small Engine Repair

R

2021

1h 43m

Comedy

Drama

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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Neely Swanson

Easy Reader (California)

Jan 27, 2022

A gem on many different levels.

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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.

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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.

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Matt S

Sep 15, 2021

Not what I expected, but worth a watch

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Jennifer C

Sep 15, 2021

Unexpected twists, laughs at the right moments, all talented actors, and ask yourself what would you do.

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Brandon O

Sep 14, 2021

Surprisingly good, great acting and all around a great watch.

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alberto

Sep 13, 2021

very nice movie to watch I like the story line it was good

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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: Trailer 1

2:12

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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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