The Red Violin

The Red Violin

Amazon.com

Mounted in high lavish style, from the opening strains to coda, The Red Violin pays homage to the careful uses of color and composition without bothering to support these qualities with any real substance. Oh, its a class act on the surface all the way, while failing on nearly every other level to convince. The story tells the story, revealing precious little else. The 17th-century Cremonese instrument-maker Niccolo Bussotti finishes his final violin with a curious red varnish, the secret of which spans the film, yet will come as a surprise only to the very sleepy. The odd voyage of this unique violin through history is then explored from one episode to the next, from child prodigy to gypsies to Victorian virtuoso to a clandestine enclave of art lovers in Shanghai during the Cultural Revolution. This is all framed by the violins rediscovery in present day by instrument appraiser Charles Morritz (SamuelL. Jackson), for whom the perfect instrument strikes a resonant chord. The main scheme of the film, an object connecting a number of seemingly disparate stories, has been used many times, most notably in Max Ophulss La Ronde. But while this approach is employed elsewhere to cause one scene to reverberate against another, The Red Violin is content to leave each episode thematically unconnected with any of the others. On the decorative level, the film may satisfy many viewers with its sensuous attention to tone and detail, as well as its eclectic and expertly performed score. But as narrative it is very slight. Just pierce the pretty crust of this puff pastry and gaze in wonder at the pocket of air within. --Jim Gay

Product Description

Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 05/20/2003 Run time: 132 minutes Rating: R
Rate Points :4.5
Binding :DVD
Brand :Lions Gate
Label :Lions Gate
Manufacturer :Lions Gate
MPN :VMMD8312D
ProductGroup :DVD
Studio :Lions Gate
Publisher :Lions Gate
UPC :031398831228
EAN :9781588177650
Price :$14.98USD
Lowest Price :$7.29USD
Customer ReviewsSave your MONEY!
Rating Point :2 Helpful Point :0
What a borefest! The story comes together in the last few minutes after following the history of the red violin. Wow, it was terrible! I wish I could get that time I watched the DVD back! Dont waste your money, get it at the library first if you really want to see this one. Its a miss in a huge way.

The Red Violin
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :0


The movie shows the love between a man and women. How the mans life was was going to change with the birth of a child to happiness and fulfillment but then tragedy strikes and this mans joy turned to sorrow and lonliness. His wife has died in childbirth along with their child. Yet this man saw how he could keep part of his wife with him as he crafted a most perfect violin and painted it with his dead wifes blood. Many years later this very valuable instrument was owned and played by others but then ended up at an aution to be sold for thousands of dollars. But one mans desire and greed took him so far as to plan and steal the valuable violin. With the help of another the violin was switched and he was able to leave building with the valuable violin in his possession. It was very suspenceful when he left with the violin and was quickly walking to his car when he was called out by someone working at the aution. At that moment he thought that he had been discovered but no, they only wanted to return his coat that he had left at the front desk. Where was he taking this valuable violin....it would be a gift for his child. Little did he know the story of this violin that he was going to give his child. Had he known the tragedy and the red color of the violin, would he have wanted it for his child. Maybe not.

Good, good movie.

The Red Violin
Rating Point :1 Helpful Point :0
My nephew raved about this movie. I ordered it, received it in a timely fashion, in great condition, but I really thought it was a boring movie. My husband and I did not care for it at all and found it very difficult to follow. It made little sense to us.

A Must for Violin Lovers
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :0
This complex tale follows a magical violin from its tragic creation in 18th century Italy to its sale at a contemporary auction house in Montreal. Like any good movie, it requires the willing suspension of disbelief which for me was easy enough to do with the exception of Samuel L. Jackson playing the part of Charles Morritz, the violin expert. He is a wonderful actor but is totally miscast here. This is an entertaining film that weaves together several amusing vignettes accompanied by John Coriglianos enchanting film score. Buy it at a discount and you will not be disappointed.

Great Movie!
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :0
I love this movie! It has passion, drama, action, love, loss, heart-wrenching moments, and the most amazing soundtrack Ive ever heard. This movie made me realise how wonderful the violin really is.

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