The Red Violin

Rating:
Summary: A Work Of Art
Review: Carlo Cecchi's 1999 "The Red Violin" may not have won any Oscars but it is Oscar worthy material. On the whole, it was an underestimated film that year. It's truly a great film. The movie is rather long and very musical (after all its' a film about the voyage of a violin through different time periods and global locations) and this could be the reason why people were put off by the film. But even more likely it's because mainstream, youth-oriented MTV audiences don't care for art films. Many will be quick to label this movie art-house, eventhough Samuel L. Jackson is in it. The film follows the course of the life of a violin, from its creation in the 1600's Italian music scene- it's a Bussoti violin, close to perfection and monetal value as a Stradavarius. The violin's red color was made by blood, by the way, but you'll have to see the film to see why. The violin then undergoes a series of adventures as it is owned by different characters - from a Mozart-type child star in 1700's Vienna, to a Paganini-like violin virtuoso in the 19th century, traveling Gypsies and to the 20th century China where Communist/Cultural Revolutions are raging. Finally it ends up in an auction house.

The DVD contains the movie in great form, a soundtrack and trailers. The film is really more than anything musical. The violin is expressed in its every face- cheerful, vibrant, yearning, despair, drama, tragedy, sadness, romance, love, sensuality, lyricism and even spirituality. This film should get you into the violin. It certainly did as much for me. I recommend this film for any music lover or if you are taking music appreciation classes. Teachers ought to show this film to music classes. There is nothing R-rated about it. There is no violence and the only sex scenes comes with the Paganini violinist who cheats on his writer-girlfriend while she is traveling abroad and comes back to discover him en flagrance. But this is nothing to worry about and it's done melodramatically and even tastefully, like something out of a 19th century romantic novel. This film is a must have.

Rating:
Summary: The Red Violin, cursed, bewitching, and enthralling
Review: This movie traces the history of an antique violin and its fateful journey from the hands of its maker to the modern violin auction. The movie expertly interweaves the fortune told to Anna, wife of the violin maker Niccoli Bussoti, through tarot cards, and the adventures of the violin as it passes through the hands of its unfortunate owners. By finishing the red violin with a secret in the varnish, Bussoti has nailed the fate of each of the owners of the violin to the fate that the cards foretold to Anna. Throughout the film, the soulful and haunting music carries the viewer from an orphan prodigy, to gypsies roaming throughout Europe to the hands of the diablo, English virtuoso Frederick Pope, who plays her with a devilish flair. She is tried, almost by fire, and when she finally yields her secret to Morritz (violin appraiser), another link to a human life is forged. What this violin has, is a soul, and a curse, and an ability to totally possess its owner or those who come in contact with her. Therefore as some noted that the humans in this story were one-dimensional, pathetic, and colorless, it only goes to contrast that the real star of this story is the red violin, who is soulful, hauntingly enchanting, desirous, and ultimately pierces the lives of those who have become possessed by her. If you love violin, you're already hooked, enjoy the music and visuals of the film.

Rating:
Summary: DVD Review
Review: This is one of my favorite movies and I've previously reviewed the film (VHS edition), so this will be a DVD review.
The picture is quite nice as to be expected on any quality DVD and the sound is good. There are no extras on this edition which is rather sad given that the extras for this film must be fascinating. My biggest complaint and the reason why I give this DVD edition only 3 stars is the annoyance that is turning on and off the subtitles throughout the entire film. As a previous reviewer has stated the subtitles are meant for a person who has trouble hearing because it not only mentions the dialogue, but also some of the ambient noises. My guess is that very few people who see this movie can speak Italian, German, French, and Mandarin so why the subtitles for those sections aren't already on the screen is beyond me.

Rating:
Summary: One special violin and its place in history...
Review: This 1998 film traces the history of "The Red Violin" to an auction house in modern Montreal where Samuel L. Jackson is cast as a violin authentication expert and is putting the instrument through a number of tests. Through flashbacks and flash-forwards to the bidding process at the auction house, the viewer is treated to five different vignettes, in four different languages, each complete within themselves.

It starts in 17th century Italy when a violin craftsman creates this special instrument for his unborn child. His wife, who later dies in childbirth, visits a tarot card reader and the cards become a structure which follows the violin through the centuries. The audience then follows the violin to a young child prodigy in an Austrian monastery, a camp of gypsies, a British virtuoso, and then to China, where the violin is labeled a decadent western instrument and is almost destroyed during the cultural revolution. History sweeps by as we watch the violin in different times and places, but it is not until the very end that we finally discover the mystery of its color.

This film won an Academy Award for the best original musical score and although I'm not a fan of classical music, I enjoyed it completely. Every note seemed appropriate to its setting and showcased the talent of the composer, John Corigliano, as well as the musician, Joshua Bell. Most of all, it complimented the stories and never detracted from them.

Perhaps because each story was so brief, the characters just hinted at being developed fully. However, the film was less about the characters than it was about the violin, and, once understanding that, I could appreciate the film for what it was, as well as appreciate the history of the violin and its place in European classical music. And, somehow, the Canadian director, Francois Girard, who wrote the screenplay with Don McKellar, were skilled enough to put it all together in a very satisfying package.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing movie ... Dissapointing DVD features
Review: I gave this DVD 3 stars, but this is not reflected in the actual movie that deserves 5 stars! The DVD reproduction of this film is poor to say the least. The picture and sound quality is good, but is lacking in any productive 'extra' features. For a film that has international appeal and is spoken in several different languages, I am dumb-founded as to why there is an incredible lack of langauge options. The only English subtitles are for the hearing impared. ( You have to ask yourself how many hearing impared people would be watching a film about a musical instrument ). I hope that another 'Special Edition' copy might come out in the future with more thought into the demands of the DVD consumer in mind.

Rating:
Summary: BEWARE! Buy the Universal/MCA Edition DVD Instead!!!
Review: This DVD edition by Lion's Gate has a significant subtitle deficiency. While much of this movie is in German, French, Italian and Mandarin (?), the only English subtitles available are for the hearing impaired, so they appear at all times and provide sound descriptions as well, which can be quite a distraction. The Universal/MCA DVD offers a setting for English subtitles for the foreign languages only, as one should expect. Why Lion's Gate missed this is beyond me.

The movie is great-but don't buy this edition unless you are hearing impaired.

Rating:
Summary: Hold Out for the Widescreen Version!!!
Review: As everyone has already stated, this is a great movie.
I noticed on Chapters.ca (Canadian Bookstore site) that a widescreen edition was due out in June 2004. For those who find that format more appealing, wait a bit before you buy.

Rating:
Summary: Loved It!
Review: Original and artsy! What a clever idea for a film, to follow the 300 year history of one single violin and all its owners. The viewer doesn't even know about the violins shocking secret until the end. My only minor complaint is that they could have established the relationship between the violin maker and his wife a little bit more. Had this been done at the beginning, the ending could have packed an even bigger punch. You'll know exactly what I mean when you see it.

Four and a half stars, actually. This movie is fully worth your time and money!

Rating:
Summary: You gotta watch this one!!
Review: I promise you will love this movie. It is a bit long but man is it beautiful!! I never buy movies but this one I am about to get off amazon. One of my #1 recommendation to friends.

Rating:
Summary: Lovely is not a word I often use. But
Review: this is a lovely little film. It is very well made, a good story with an excellent score. How could it not? Even if you are not a violin player or aficionado you may enjoy it. Some of the characters are superficially drawn, but that will happen in a story covering 318 years. This movie is already 131 minutes long & with the title The Red Violin some will pass on it. Samuael Jackson plays a less muscular part than is his mien. Get past the title, & it will be worth your time.