In Search of Mozart (2006)

Critic Reviews

• J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

  This thorough and insightful 2006 documentary presents a more rounded and compelling view of the high-spirited genius.

• Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

  More rewarding musically than cinematically.

• Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

  Educational, but not exactly inspiring.

• Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times

  Setting the record straight literally and figuratively, In Search of Mozart is an adamantly linear, myth-busting stride through a prodigiously talented life.

• Joe Leydon, Variety

  Long before the midway point, the sheer volume of verbiage becomes oppressive and repetitive.

• Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

  Phil Grabsky's eloquent documentary In Search of Mozart seems certain to delight music lovers yet also engages the attention of one woefully lacking in knowledge and appreciation of classical music.

• Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star

  Perhaps the neatest thing about Phil Grabsky's In Search of Mozart is that after watching it for more than two hours your first impulse is to rush to the Internet and download a slew of Mozart recordings.

• S. James Wegg, JWR

  Filmmaker Phil Grabsky has done the world an enormous favour by painstakingly and lovingly crafting a musical portrait of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart that is worthy of the subject matter.

• Phil Hall, IdentityTheory

  Invigorating celebration of the great composer's life and music.

• Jules Brenner, Cinema Signals

  wisely keeps us anchored (and fascinated) with the human side of his subject

• Jeffrey Gantz, Boston Phoenix

  There's nothing particularly innovative about the film, but it does what a two-hour documentary can.

• Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press

  Dry, repetitive and didactic.

• Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

  The film effectively usurps the images left by Milos Forman's artful yet not entirely factually accurate Amadeus.

• R. M. Campbell, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

  Filmed with affection, taste, warmth and, yes, truth.

• Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion

  Doesn't exhibit the imagination of some of Tony Palmer's films on musicians, [but] Grabsky is certainly to be congratulated on his dedication, sensitivity and good taste.

• Eric Monder, Film Journal International

  Lacks anything new to say but provides a primer of sorts for those unfamiliar with classical music.

• Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com

  The documentary lacks some of the emotional impact you would get from a dramatic interpretation, but it makes up for that with the music.

• Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide

  The film's soul is the musicians whose love for Mozart's compositions is as vibrant as their desire to share it.

• Raven Snook, Time Out

  The amount of detail further enhances our understanding of both the genius and the man.

• Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews

  My body voted (about) two-to-one against, with my ears being outvoted by my mind and my eyes.

Read all 21 critic reviews