The Red Violin

The Red Violin

     This Oscar-winning foreign film, for best musical score, was written and directed by Francois Girard. A foreign film aficionado I am not; however, the beauty of this movie reaches across international boundaries literally and figuratively. Filmed in six different countries, this movie provides a little something for everyone. With that being said, when the sub-titles first appeared, I was apprehensive about whether I would be able to maintain my focus and truly enjoy the show. My worries were quickly dismissed as the language barrier did not inhibit the delivery of the story.

     The picture begins in Italy with Nicolo Bussotti (Carlo Cecchi) who has crafted the perfect violin for his soon-to-be born son. His wife is concerned with her pregnancy and consults a woman who predicts her future by reading tarot cards. The entire film revolves around this tarot-reading session as the story develops into one fluid moving event. Bussotti’s wife and child die during child birth and the Red Violin takes flight to an orphanage run by monks. Yes, I said monks. I thought the same thing, but these monks really liked violins. The violin spends approximately 100 years with the monks as many students use it during their daily practice until one day a young protégé appears in the form of Kasper Weiss (Christopher Koncz).

     The monks quickly realize the potential of the young student and call upon George Poussin (Jean-Luc Bideau) to help teach and refine Weiss’ talents. Up to the challenge, Poussin agrees to take the boy and violin back to Austria to begin his instruction. Poussin believes so strongly in the young lad that he begins to sell his possessions just to continue Kasper’s training. I am sure it did not hurt that he would be renowned for finding this diamond in the rough. As fate may have it, tragedy strikes yet again and young Weiss suffers a fatal heart attack just before he is able to realize fame in a public setting. As a fitting tribute, the boy and his violin are buried together only to be unearthed by grave-robbers who abscond with the instrument.

     The violin moves from Austria to England, England to China, and finally China to Canada where it is being auctioned off to the highest bidder. Charles Morritz (Samuel L. Jackson) is an expert of fine musical instruments and has been digging up the details of this once hidden treasure. He is not certain of it’s authenticity, but runs many tests to verify that indeed it is the prized Red Violin. Morritz, in his research, discovers the reason for the odd color of the instrument. Doubtfully, it will not be difficult for the viewer to figure it out, but a mystery it will remain until after you see this amazing film.　
　
     I have intentionally left out several characters that come to posses the violin, but they also meet with some type of appalling fate or luck as well. The underlying message in this film, I believe, is that culture is not always ready or prepared to accept change or the human imagination that brings it about. Now, I know this may seem a stretch, but once you have watched the movie, I feel you will be able to pick these issues out even in the most obscure situations.

     Finally, my hat goes off to Girard for flirting with a masterpiece. Although I did enjoy this movie, it did seem to be flat in parts, which was the exception and not the rule. Overall, I enjoyed the movie and gave it 4 stars. The acting was good, the costumes masterful, the music divine. For a director to make a film about an instrument that was shot, nearly burned, buried, resurrected and stolen, I would say he plays his audience like a fiddle.

     I hope you enjoy this movie as much as I did and have an epiphany before the end! I have not researched it yet, but I would be interested to know how many of these people actually were able to play the violin (including the little boy).

That’s How Matt Sees It!