The Smile Man (2013) User Reviews

A bit silly, but I loved it

[Horst_In_Translation · 8/10 · 18 October 2014]

The premise is actually really tragic here. I am not sure if this could actually happen that way. A man had an accident and from the nerve damage he will have a lifelong disability. But then you see Willem Dafoe with his smile and this just turns into the oddest funny thing ever. The saddest scene was probably very early the crying at the mirror. Pretty much all the situations he gets in are negative: he meets the other victim of the accident, he gets beaten up because somebody thinks he is laughing at him, he gets mocked by a taxi driver...

The smile is always there and it is so unintentionally funny. Like a mix of comedy and horror. When he stands at her door and says "I brought you your bag" or when he lurks around the corner at the girl's house. The ending is a peaceful one though as he finds out the other victim has nerve damage too and they bond over it as she is now forced to cry all the time. Well.. opposites attract. I found this a bit of an surprising development as she seemed totally egoistic and vain early on. But we did not know where her tears really resulted from. I am not sure if this film would have worked so well with another actor than Dafoe in the lead role, but he was just perfect for the part. It is only a bit longer than 9 minutes, so you can almost watch this in a commercial break. Very much recommended and I hope Anton Lanshakov, who wrote and directed this, will soon make another movie, maybe a full feature next time.

Hidden gem!!

[m_bound · 8/10 · 29 March 2019]

This movie had me laughing the full 9 minutes. At the same time I felt bad for The lead character. After the wreck, he loses his job at the funeral home because he can't quit smiling. You can't help but laugh but at the same time feel bad. Willem Defoe does a very good job and I think he was perfect for the role. There's a few twists and I don't want to ruin anything so give the short film a shot if you have the time.

...

[kristinakisagulova · 7/10 · 20 January 2022]

Although the film is short, it is very entertaining. An excellent game of actors and a bewitching plot) The main actor hooked him with his game. A good film about a man who, due to the result of an accident, damaged a certain nerve in his spine and is now forced to constantly smile, even when he does not want to, and as it turns out, this does not always bring joy. After watching the movie, I rethought my life a little and realized that we are not alone in the world who have problems))

Sad it's not feature length.

[dlracer2 · 10/10 · 15 February 2021]

So much soul fleshed into characters for a short that's only 8 minutes long. Defoe is endearing and tugs on your emotions in the same short space of time you might find yourself laughing hilariously. Marvelous!

my film reviews

[pyankovan · 9/10 · 20 January 2022]

The Smile Man is a film that makes you cry and smile. Ironically, both heroes lost their jobs after nerve damage and an accident. A fantastic coincidence! If you have free time, take a look. The film will cheer you up for the whole day. A man does not get upset even in the most difficult situations, despite the constant smile. We can learn this quality from him!

The short film "The Smiling Man"

[zelinskaaulia · 8/10 · 20 January 2022]

I liked this film, so I put 8/10. The film is beautifully shot, it's nice to watch, high-quality acting. The plot is fascinating, after watching it, it was possible to understand how hard it is for people with such problems, they often do not listen to them or think that a person is laughing at him. Despite the sad situation, there were funny moments, sometimes even romantic. Because of such a problem as the main character, there are many important problems, one of them was the loss of a job. After watching the movie, I realized that some of the problems that arise for me are not as global as the hero.

Good film, but...

[vyacheslavzhukov · 10/10 · 20 January 2022]

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen!

Sending warm regards from Russia!

After watching this movie, I got a lot of emotions, both positive and negative. The plot is filled with comedic moments that make you laugh. Also, the film makes you a little sad, as the actors are not in the best situation. A well-known meme fits this film like never before: the meme is funny, the situation is terrible. On the whole, the film is very good and worth watching.

All the best!

Willem Dafoe Shines in Unsettling Short Film 'The Smile Man

[markusandrew · 4/10 · 22 March 2023]

"The Smile Man" is a haunting short film that features Willem Dafoe's exceptional acting skills. He portrays a character with an unnaturally wide and permanent smile, conveying his inner turmoil and anguish with subtlety. The film's cinematography, sound design, and music create an eerie atmosphere, building tension throughout. Overall, it's a well-crafted and thought-provoking film that leaves a lasting impression.

Some critique: Explore more creative ways to build tension and suspense, and heighten the emotional impact of the story.

Consider incorporating more dialogue to add depth to the character and provide insight into his inner thoughts and feelings.

Explore different camera angles and shots to add visual interest and enhance the mood of the film.

Consider incorporating additional visual elements such as flashbacks or dream sequences to help explain the character's backstory or motivations.

Shikarno

[etogromik · 10/10 · 20 January 2022]

Hello everyone, Dimasik is in touch.

I would like to share my thoughts on this movie.

A very interesting film. It raises the problem of the unpreparedness of society for smiles on the street and in general in life. The film is set in USA. Its a low budget film, but beautifully filmed. According to the plot, he gets into an accident. He damages the nerve and he will have to smile all his life. Then see for yourself :) I send my regards to Anastasia Alexandrovna.

Think about your life

[dolgopolovn · 9/10 · 21 January 2022]

This film makes you wonder about your attitude to other people. There are a lot of negative events happening today, this short film reveals a huge range of feelings: regret, sadness, joy. During the film, the Smile Man get into different situations, so there were funny moments, sometimes even romantic. The film last just 9 minutes, but there are a lot of questions, which you need to think about.

🎬

[anastasia-79909 · 9/10 · 20 January 2022]

Very emotional film, great acting, I liked it. The bottom line is that two people got into a car accident, as a result of which both were found to have nerve damage. The main role is played by a man who has a pinched nerve in his facial muscles, as a result of which he is forced to smile until the end of his days. Of course, it's good to smile, but there are many situations in life when a smile is not needed. After all, if you smile at everyone and under any circumstances, many will misunderstand, take it as a mockery, like a girl from a movie. In a short time, during which the viewing lasted, the fate of two different people, mutual understanding and consolation of each other with a half turn, fit together. It was funny, it was interesting. Everyone will analyze this short film for himself and draw his own conclusions about it. I advise you to watch :)