Review of The Saddest Music in the World (2003) by Shaleem H — 30 Apr 2004

[font=Times New Roman][size=3]The Saddest Music in the World 4/5[/size][/font].

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[font=Times New Roman][size=3]This is the latest film by celebrated Winnipeg director Guy Maddin, but it?s not for everyone.[/size][/font].

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[font=Times New Roman][size=3]The film is deliberately grainy black and white, with some of the outer edges of the frame out of focus. Set in the 1930s Winnipeg during the depression, the setting is constantly night with light snowfall. [/size][/font].

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[size=3][font=Times New Roman]There really isn?t much of a plot to follow. A local beer baroness, Isabella Rosellini, decides to hold a contest to have countries around the world send musicians to Winnipeg to discover which country has the saddest music in the world. [/font][/size].

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[font=Times New Roman][size=3]Like a dream where things are unrealistic, this film intertwines the five main characters in a most surreal way, but it isn?t incredibly interesting. There are subtleties in the film that speak to a larger message but most people likely won?t get it.[/size][/font].

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[font=Times New Roman][size=3]Maddin?s style is unique and unmistakeable. He deserves kudos for being so different from everyone else.[/size][/font].

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[font=Times New Roman][size=3]If you?re an artsy kind of person who appreciates indie filmmaking, see this film. If you?re just curious, wait for the video. For remaining 95% of the population, this won?t appeal to you. Maddin?s cult following will love it, though.[/size][/font].