THE RED VIOLIN

Directed by: Francios Girard Written by Francois Girard,Don McKellar Starring Carlo Cecchi,Irene Grazioli,Samuel L. Jackson Available at Amazon for $10.99! FILM:

rating:4.5

DVD:

rating: 4.5

Oftentimes movie lovers complain about the lack of fine new films appearing at the multiplex. Unfortunately, many great films are overlooked as the mindless hordes race to see the latest blockbuster. Such was the case in 1999, when a little film called THE RED VIOLIN in the second week of June, just after THE PHANTOM MENACE and in direct competition with films like the second AUSTIN POWERS movie. As you can imagine, this minor classic failed to make an impression at the box office, and to this date remains unknown by most. Now that should be rectified. THE FILMTHE RED VIOLIN tells the story of a perfect violin crafted in 1681 by Nicolo Bussotti (Carlo Cecchi). He toils over its creation as his beautiful wife Anna nears the due date for her troubled pregnancy. In secret, she consults a servant schooled in the art of prophecy. The servant portends a troubled future for the wife and her child. Sure enough, she dies during birth. In his grief, Nicolo paints his perfect violin red. It then travels around the world through the next 300 years, falling from one set of skilled hands to the next, its curse (or blessing?) passing from owner to owner. It finally ends up in the trained hands of Charles Morritz, an antiques specialist for an auction house. It is he who uncovers the mysteries of the beautiful instrument. Many of the negative reviews given to this film uniformly complain about the episodic nature of the story, which prevents the audience from connecting to the individuals touched by the violin. This criticism misses the point of the film. The story involves the violin itself, not the people who encounter it over the centuries. It represents the posterity left behind by a human life, whether it be a child that carries on our name, or a violin we craft with our hands that endures and entertains after we are gone. It shows the connectedness of life; how each life reflects and enhances another, sometimes over many years. The violin touches many hands and many hearts during its long journey - a lonely orphan, a popular soloist, and repressed Chinese woman. In all cases it causes both joy and sorrow, and ignites both fear and freedom. Director Girard composes his story carefully, a perfectly-timed series of flashbacks nad flashforwards that underscore the connectedness of the stories. Over the top of this structure is the lilting music of JOHN CORIGLIANO, who was nominated for an Oscar for this score. The violin playing is, in a word, astonishing, full of playfulness and vigor. The music is tragic, uplifting, and poetic. I could say a million things about this movie, but here's the best: this is the first movie to make me tear up over an inanimate object. Find it and watch it now. EXTRAS This newly minted DVD version of the film contains two fascinating documentaries. The Oscar-winning Chaconne - Looks behind the scenes at the making of the film's magnificent score. Breathtaking. THE AUCTION BLOCK - Tells the true story of the Stradivarius violins, particularly the Red Medhelsson upon which this film's violin is based. I learned so much about violins in this doc, and the auction scene as well. Remarkable. OVERALL Magnificent film. Excellent DVD. It belongs on your DVD shelf if you love quality filmmaking. GO GET IT NOW.