The Salesman
The Salesman

Movie spotlight

The Salesman

2002
Movie
97 min
Italian

A travelling salesman slowly becomes tormented by the world.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes70%
Metacritic60/100
Google Users80%
Director: Aaron WoodleyGenres: Drama, Comedy

Plot Summary

A struggling actor, desperate for work, takes on the role of a funeral director's assistant in a low-budget film. As he immerses himself in the morbid but strangely comical world of death, he begins to confront his own anxieties about life, love, and mortality. The lines between his on-screen persona and his real life start to blur, leading to an existential crisis.

Critical Reception

The Salesman received mixed to positive reviews, with many critics praising its unique blend of dark humor and poignant drama. While some found its pacing uneven, the performances, particularly by Don McKellar, were widely lauded for their depth and subtle execution. The film was noted for its insightful exploration of themes like grief, identity, and the search for meaning.

What Reviewers Say

  • A darkly humorous and surprisingly touching exploration of life's big questions.

  • Don McKellar delivers a compelling performance as a man confronting his own mortality through a fictional role.

  • The film successfully balances its comedic elements with a profound sense of melancholy.

Google audience: Audience reviews generally appreciated the film's thoughtful themes and McKellar's performance, finding it a unique and moving cinematic experience. Some viewers felt the quirky humor might not appeal to everyone, but most agreed it offered a fresh perspective on life and death.

Fun Fact

The film's director, Aaron Woodley, also wrote the screenplay and made a brief cameo appearance as a delivery man.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review