The Embalmer. An Italian love story between a 50-year-old man and a handsome young man is filled with pathos, longing and genuine anger. Peppino (Ernesto Mahieux) is a skilled taxidermist who spots the breathtakingly gorgeous Diego (Valerio Faglia Monzillo) while visiting the local zoo. He quickly lures Diego away from his date and entices him with a promise of exciting employment. Diego is bored with being a waiter and lacks any morsel of ambition. Peppino is very short and unattractive but he's totally besotted with Diego. He seduces the young man by financing their partying at local bars with women and Diego tolerates his caresses. It looks like Peppino will succeed in securing the object of his affection until he makes one fatal mistake. During a trip to finish a job for the local mafia, they meet lusty Deborah (Elizabeth Rocchetti). This listless, unhappy young woman instantly falls for Diego and he begins to pull away from his friend. Suddenly Peppino's money and caresses are annoying. Deborah needles Diego about his relationship with Peppino but the little taxidermist is not about to lose .

Director Matteo Garrone crafts an intriguing tale of lovesick desperation and furious anger of average folks who must work harder to get what they want. Ernesto Mahieux skillfully displays Peppino's gift at manipulation and his non-too-subtle displeasure with Deborah's intrusiveness. He gives a truly superb performance. The tragic conclusion may seem inevitable however the journey toward the end is a lesson in the universal yearning for beauty.