Quartile rating: 8/10 · 1 rating
300 years of a remarkable musical instrument. Crafted by the Italian master Bussotti (Cecchi) in 1681, the red violin has traveled through Austria, England, China, and Canada, leaving both beauty and tragedy in its wake. In Montreal, Samuel L Jackson plays an appraiser going over its complex history.
The Red Violin is a genuinely singular film — its anthology structure spanning three centuries and four continents, united by a single instrument, gives it an unmistakable conception and voice. Francois Girard's direction and Alain Dostie's cinematography give each era a distinct, lush visual identity, earning a well-above-average score there. The narrative device is inventive and the film's tone — part mystery, part elegy — is hard to replicate, justifying high Novelty. The acting is solid across the board but uneven between segments, and the episodic structure means emotional investment is spread thin, keeping Plot and Acting from reaching the top tier. The Montreal framing device and ending are satisfying but not revelatory.