The Legend of 1900 [IMPORT]

Rating:
Summary: A more satisfying "Titanic"
Review: The first time I stumble across this movie on the Independent Film Channel (15 minutes into the movie) I thought, hmm... this reminds me of the Titanic (yes, I mean *the* megahit "Titanic" movie).

The similarity is uncanny... Same era, same piers/docks, same ship model/size/interior style/number of smoke-stacks/coal burning engines/grand ballroom/third-class cabins/first-class cabins. The story is even similarly unfolded as a narrated flashback scenes.

Can't really explained it, but somehow I stop myself from switching to a different channel because something tells me that this movie is better than the Titanic. I have to tell you, *that* was a good decision.

This movie is more satisfying than the Titanic.

You can read other reviewer's synopsis about the story, I'd like to point out the stuff that amazes me. First of all, the music is gorgeous... some jovial, some grand, some sweet, a couple... haunting. Second, the movie does an excellent job in portraying the 1900 character as a piano genius that draws inspiration for his music from what he observed... in real-time! In one of the memorable scenes, he literally changes his music as he looks at different people on the ship. Third, the character's view of the world is... "interesting", and I guarantee that you'll talk about it long after the movie ended.

You don't have to be a pianist to appreciate this film, but for those of you who plays piano, all of the piano scenes in this movie are well-executed (there're a lot of them), I was hard-pressed to spot that the actor is "faking" it. As I learned later on, one of the actors is actually a well-known jazz musician. Some of the scenes are really imaginative and really "smoking".

Finally, seeing this movie really deepen my appreciation for independent moview. This movie feels like a fresh breeze from the ocean compared to the cookie-cutter type Hollywood movies. Like one of the characters said:
"...It's not immense, but it's worth the effort..."

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful.
Review: I knew nothing about this movie when I rented it, but I was drawn to because of Tim Roth. I know I will see this movie again. A beautiful fable, beautifully shot, perfect casting, and a mesmerizing plot. I get a lump in my throat thinking about it.

Rating:
Summary: I still don't understand how come it didn't get an Oscar
Review: great great movie,
I watched it in theatre pre-view in NYC about 2-3 years ago,
and for month waited to see it again.
touching,
beautiful, beautiful music,
great acting.
a must see.

Rating:
Summary: Like Indie Films? Tim Roth? Bittersweet? This is the ONE!
Review: I adore Tim Roth. After having seen him in "Pulp Fiction" follwed up with "Four Rooms" and "Rob Roy." What a diversified actor with a talent for facial expression! He manages to capture whatever emotion the character is feeling with such conviction (and it never seems to matter what role he finds himself in) that you will find yourself feeling what he is feeling! Pain. Pleasure. Joy. Peace. Awe. You name it - he accomplishes it! Not many actors can pull that off - not in every role...Tim Roth can and does! I find him to be one of the most versatile, mesmerizing, and underrated actors today! Okay. With that said, now the movie.
I caught this movie late one evening on the IFN channel of my local cable station. With so many cookie cutter, special effect hounds, and blockbuster type movies out there, IFN (independant film network) fills the void with clever, charming, and intriguing films...not movies...films! (Yes there is a difference!!!)

"The Legend of 1900" is a refeshing change from the summer of '02 actionfests! This is a simple movie with a simple concept with a profound message for us all delivered in a unique, clever, sentimental, charming, and deeply affecting way. Throughout the film the viewer is torn between two worlds as Roth's character grows. You want him to go, you want him to stay, you cheer for him all the way! You laugh with him, you cry for him. You see the impact this man has on the people around him and then you ache for the narrator at the end of the story! It's bittersweet to watch as this character becomes a man, faces his lonely life head on surrounded by people who love him, but don't really know him. All the while you are comforted by the impact he has on those around him.

If this isn't enough reason to see this film...here's another one. My 14 year old son is a typical video game playing, action hero worshiping, Star Wars loving, teenager who is also counting the days until The Two Towers and the Matrix open. He can't sit still during a movie unless it is action packed with battles, fights, and loud sounds... As he came down to say goodnight one evening he stopped to watch this film with me for a few minutes - he thought it was something to do with the Titanic. Knowing it was his bed time, he asked if it would be on again. We checked and found it was scheduled for two days later right after school. I didn't think he'd want to watch it...but also being a Tim Roth fan (he loved Four Rooms and Planet of the Apes) he remembered, watched, and enjoyed the film. Ah - a convert to my side! If my 14 year old kid liked it - you will too!

Rating:
Summary: Like Indie Films? Tim Roth? Bittersweet? This is the ONE!
Review: I adore Tim Roth. What a diversified actor with a talent for facial expression! He manages to capture whatever emotion the character is feeling with such conviction (and it never seems to matter what role he finds himself in) that you will find yourself feeling what he is feeling! Pain. Pleasure. Joy. Peace. Awe. You name it - he accomplishes it! Not many actors can pull that off - not in every role...Tim Roth can and does! I find him to be one of the most versatile, mesmerizing, and underrated actors today! Okay. With that said, now the movie.

I caught this movie late one evening on the IFN channel of my local cable station. With so many cookie cutter, special effect hounds, and blockbuster type movies out there, IFN (independant film network) fills the void with clever, charming, and intriguing films...not movies...films! (Yes there is a difference!!!)

"The Legend of 1900" is a refeshing change from the summer of '02 actionfests! This is a simple movie with a simple concept with a profound message for us all delivered in a unique, clever, sentimental, charming, and deeply affecting way. Throughout the film the viewer is torn between two worlds as Roth's character grows. You want him to go, you want him to stay, you cheer for him all the way! You laugh with him, you cry for him. You see the impact this man has on the people around him and then you ache for the narrator at the end of the story! It's bittersweet to watch as this character becomes a man, faces his lonely life head on surrounded by people who love him, but don't really know him. All the while you are comforted by the impact he has on those around him.

Rating:
Summary: Am I crazy, or what?
Review: If there was a minus star, this movie would get it. Am I crazy, or what? Last night I started watching this movie, which I had rented on DVD. OK-- now my problem is this. While the movie had sound-- music, chairs being moved, crowds shouting in the background, when the charactors spoke, their lips moved and nothing came out. This went on and on, till I jumped forward to the middle of the movie, and it was the same there. Did I get a faulty copy? Blockbuster only had one copy, so that was it.

From the reviews, I get the idea that this movie is very good, but frankly, I'm at a loss. What gives with the lip work?

Rating:
Summary: So Much Potential, Poor Execution
Review: Maybe I just wasn't in the mood, but I was utterly disappointed.

With such a compelling premise (a supremely gifted pianist born on a ship who becomes an agoraphobe), so much could have been done in terms of character and story development. With a highly-regarded Tornatore directing the likes of Tim Roth, I thought this would have been a slam dunk.

First of all, the script could have gone through another revision. While the dialogue sequences in the end with the two central characters were well-written, I cringed so many times for the first 3/4 of the film. The dialogue was stunted, awkward and contrived (think Steven Segal does heart-wrenching drama). Also, having the world stop in awe as a narrative device whenever Tim Roth's character played the piano and/or Vince's character tell stories about him seemed a bit much. The awe and empathy is for the audiences to decide, not the supporting cast. Perhaps something was lost in the Italian-English translation.

Tim Roth and Pruitt Taylor Vince were perhaps miscast. While empathy for the characters is vitally important for the story to be effective, both actors seemed to try too hard, which results in contrivance, and left me not caring at all. Though Roth and Vince are good character actors (esp. Roth), maybe it's the direction from Tornatore. It's forgivable to have a bit of melodrama, but it gets a little annoying when you're hit over the head with it over and over throughout the film. I like to be SHOWN, not TOLD, how to feel for these characters.

The Rachmaninoff-style music, while well composed, got overbearing, especially the orchestral soundtrack. A more subdued and subtle use of the soundtrack would have made a lot of the scenes less melodramatic and sappy (especially for characters you don't really care about). Varying the music stylistically may have helped. The music plays an important role in the story, which makes it even more important how it's used as a narrative device - "Shine", "Amadeus", and "This is Spinal Tap" are examples of music-centric films that are effective in balancing music as backstory and music as narrative device.

Speaking of music - as in any storytelling medium, the central character should be more interesting than the music. If Tornatore had focused more on developing a narrative around Roth's character (i.e. his childhood on the ship), and used the music as more of a backdrop, I bet that it would have made it a more interesting film.

The pacing of the film was a bit off. Perhaps it was due to the studio chopping off chunks of the film (originally 160 minutes) and squishing it down to two hours. The cinematography was good though. Kudos to the DP.

I'm giving it one star for a promising premise, and another star to give it a benefit of a doubt that I may marginally like it more on a different day.

Rating:
Summary: Save Yourself DO NOT WATCH this Movie
Review: Formula=nice music, existential nonsense, pathetic writing, irritating actors, catatonic plot development = 1900!!!!!!!!

If staring deeply into the eyes of ugly fat guys with bad teeth and twitchy eyes is your idea of a good time, this movie is for you.

Just like the Titanic, you can't wait for this ship to go down.

Rating:
Summary: A great movie for people of all ages!!!
Review: I stayed up one Friday night switching through the channels only to come upon this movie. It captivated me all night. I laughed, I cried and I was amazed...sometimes all at once. I spent the next day looking everywhere for this movie as a rental. No one had it and apparently it is a hard movie to find as the one place we actually found it had only one copy, and it was out. I finally said I was buying it as it is something I could watch over and over again. This is a must see, with or without the family, movie.

Rating:
Summary: Love This Film...no extras?
Review: This is a magical film. First saw part of it on a plane home from Italy. Didn't realize til near the end what I was missing by napping. FINALLY it comes out in DVD. Beautiful story, BRILLIANT music (and faking...take it from a professional pianist!!!!!!) Oh, how I'd love to see/hear the little backstage tidbits that mark the usual DVD versions!!!!!! I know Tim Roth spent 6 months training for this. Wouldn't you LOVE to hear what he thought/learned?!?!?!? This is a prescious film. Don't miss it.