Review of The Red Violin (1998) by Lina M — 18 Oct 2007

I rented this film as it stars Samuel L Jackson, but hadn't heard of it before, so wasn't sure what to expect, especially since the plot simply revolves around a red violin, and the 'journey' it makes around the globe through the centuries, and how it came to be where it is today - an auction house.

The film is visually pleasing, with lavish period sets and costumes, and stunning scenery/settings, and aurally diverse: languages spoken include Italian, French, German, and Japanese, meaning that much of the film has subtitles.

For such a simple idea, the viewer is kept captivated, aided by beautiful music, the performances of the key characters, and the fact that the film jumps back and forth, from one century to another, showing how the red violin has affected the lives of the many people who have possessed it; it is often quite dramatic.

This film is definitely worth a look.