Featured Audience Ratings

• Jim H

  
  This is the story of a violin that starts in 1681 in Italy and ends in present-day New York. It's hard to judge a film in which the main character is a violin. The characters who could give the film life are the people who own the violin at different places and historical… More
  This is the story of a violin that starts in 1681 in Italy and ends in present-day New York. It's hard to judge a film in which the main character is a violin. The characters who could give the film life are the people who own the violin at different places and historical moments, but their transience in the violin's "life" make it difficult to attach ourselves to their plights. And the fortune-teller reading the violin's future is clever for about ten seconds. Also, it's never fully revealed what Charles's motives are; is there any care that he could offer the violin that other suitors can't? The score is quite good, and a project that spans five languages and four countries is admirably ambitious. Overall, the main character being a violin didn't work for me, but I admire the effort.

• Directors C

  
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Samuel L Jackson is incredibly miscast in The Red Violin in a very unmemorable role in comparison to some of his best. But besides that, this is a fairly effective drama and for me personally, a pleasant… More
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Samuel L Jackson is incredibly miscast in The Red Violin in a very unmemorable role in comparison to some of his best. But besides that, this is a fairly effective drama and for me personally, a pleasant surprise. That's not to say it's not flawed in any way. The musical intervels too often interrupt different acts but considering it's audience it does perfectly what it sets out to do. There's also a lot to take pleasure in even if your absolutely clueless when it comes to understanding how a violin works. The geographical locations are beautiful, the period settings are believable, and each member of the huge ensemble cast is engaging and not without interesting and realistic personalities. It is unfortunate that the film itself is never as deep as it wants to be but it's strange how at times it is accidentally brilliant. I cant really remember being dramatically heart broken watching a film in which an inanimate object is thrown onto the floor agressively. I was genuinely surprised at how well the script was written and how good the performances (minus Sam Jackson) were. It isn't one of those cheesy TV period movies by a long shot. Overall though with it's beautiful scenery, it's distinctive characters, and it's soothing if not repetitive score, The Red Violin works impressively as a film. As well as a visual masterpiece to fans of the title instrument.

• Matthew S

  
  This is a 2.5-hour episode of "Hoarders" where collectors of stuff turn into Gollum in the presence of this precious creation. I'm not judging - by the end of the movie, I too became Gollum. How many people alive today carry personal tales of the world's people,… More
  This is a 2.5-hour episode of "Hoarders" where collectors of stuff turn into Gollum in the presence of this precious creation. I'm not judging - by the end of the movie, I too became Gollum. How many people alive today carry personal tales of the world's people, places and events of the past 300 years? How many other violins have been in a Ménage à trois? How many items born into this world came at such a high cost to its creators? Where's my 2 million dollars? I'm ready to do some antiquing!

• Summer W

  
  Gorgeous.

• Red L

  
  An interesting movie that follows the life of a 17th century violin through its many owners across centuries and continents, all tied together by the words of a soothsayer.

• Aaron N

  
  Charles Morritz: What do you do when the thing you most wanted, so perfect, just comes? A very good story that spans several centuries, telling the story of a number of characters in relation to a particular musical instrument, a red violin, an instrument constructed perfectly, but… More
  Charles Morritz: What do you do when the thing you most wanted, so perfect, just comes? A very good story that spans several centuries, telling the story of a number of characters in relation to a particular musical instrument, a red violin, an instrument constructed perfectly, but also cursed to bring some kind of harm to almost anyone who comes into contact with it. As stated, the movie spans over 300 years. We see the violin's creation in the 1680s and where it ends up in the 1990s. Between this time we are given about five stories, each in a different time period. For example, one involves a skilled musician in Oxford, who becomes consumed by writing music with the violin, so much so, his life eventually deteriorates. All of the stories are somewhat threaded together by the present day narrative, taking place at an auction house where it will be sold to a willing enough bidder. It is here that we see a role from Sam Jackson, which is always welcome. As interesting and well handled as the story is, and as good looking as the film is, much of the joy comes from the score of the film, which won an Oscar. It is of course fully composed by violins, centering around a main theme that plays in each story. At over two hours, there is certainly a lot of movie here, with a somewhat slow progression, but even then, the story, which moves around in terms of its time, works well enough at revealing various elements and does so in a fairly clever manner. Charles Morritz: Yes, I'm coming back soon, and I have a present for you. Something very special.

• Drew S

  
  A musical Babel. The Red Violin is perhaps most notable for its amazing soundtrack, for which it picked up an Oscar. Some of the pieces will be with you for a very long time after watching this film. In fact, The Red Violin is a sumptuous feast for the senses - aural, visual and… More
  A musical Babel. The Red Violin is perhaps most notable for its amazing soundtrack, for which it picked up an Oscar. Some of the pieces will be with you for a very long time after watching this film. In fact, The Red Violin is a sumptuous feast for the senses - aural, visual and emotional. The movie is a dizzying cocktail of grace and beauty. Each scene is toned perfectly. Though The Red Violin does a great job connecting the many cultures featured in this film (better than Babel, even), there are some aspects of the writing that don't sit particularly well. Something about the plot seems very...pat. None of the characters are very involving, and there's little sense of loss throughout the course of the movie. Though a lot of tragedy befalls the handful of protagonists we see, none of it is very effective. Perhaps it's because we don't spend much time with them, but I think The Red Violin is afraid to add edge to the cruelties of life. It is entertaining, harmless, but not involving. The ending is also a total stinker; frustrating for all the wrong reasons and totally out of left field. If the plot had a little more potency, The Red Violin would be a memorable and epic experience. In its current state, it is an interesting glimpse into several different cultures, juxtaposed with some truly incredible music. Though a good movie in its own right, I can't help but feel that it didn't meet the standards it set for itself.

• Tom E

  
  But very slow-going

• Noah N

  
  'The Red Violin' (1998) features such dramatic undertones from all different geographical places in time. The film has such a luxuriously vibe that it can be very connecting.

• Sunil J

  
  I think this film is WAY too contrived and overly sentimental.

• Linda K

  
  The sound of music has awaken my ears again!

• Krystle C

  
  Beautiful and moving. If your heart doesn't break because of the haunting music, you'll at least be intrigued by the lovely intertwined storylines. Awesome.

Read all 12 featured audience ratings