ManiakJiggy
This is How Movies Should Be Made
Blucher
One of the worst movies I've ever seen
Neive Bellamy
Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.
myrahindley
I don't know anything about Paganini, but I doubt whether a single scene from this completely unconvincing script ever actually happened in real life.It is set in 1830's London, with obviously painted outdoor sets and street scenes, and of course, because it's London, it's permanently foggy - this is a film that never misses an opportunity to throw in a cliché.Joely Richardson has an odd role as a Times reporter - did they really have women reporters in those days? To make it even less believable, she has a modern day hair cut like she's just had a perm at Toni & Guy! A number of the other characters also have non-period coffeurs. The lead actor, David Garrett sports a three-day beard - were they fashionable amongst the middle class in those days? Someone thought they were being clever casting violinist Garrett in the lead role,forgetting to check whether he had the primary skill an actor requires. As a violinist he is famous, but I personally don't like his populist, showy style. His playing, like his acting, lacks genuine passion and depth. A "hooked on classics" style of playing.No wonder this dross went straight to DVD. And a good thing too as at least that gives you the advantage of being able to fast forward when you start getting bored - which will be fairly often!
Dale Haufrect
"The Devil's Violinist" is a 2013 Foreign film and it is currently available on NetFlix Instant Download Streaming. The director is Bernard Rose. Bernard Rose is the writer as well. The cast includes David Garrett as Niccolo Paganini, Jared Harris, Joely Richardson, Christian McKay, Veronica Ferres, Helmut Berger, Olivia d'Abo, Andrea Deck, Thomas Anton, Peter R. Bishop, Peter Bosch, Ben Cura, David Godden, Stephen Hastings, Franziska Huber, Ian Hughes, Tim Jefferis, Elizabeth Kinnear, Onal Koc, Fanny Krausz, Makhare Alexander Ninidze, Kristian Portz, Oskar Ricketts, Ajia Sowinski, Andrew Tienan and Leopold Josef Paul Berger. The story revolves around the 18th century virtuoso violinist, Niccolo Paganini and his life is portrayed as a gambling, drug using playboy. I have no idea about the truthfulness of the picture, but I gave it a 9 star rating for the beautiful musical interludes. Dale Haufrect
Stefani Barwick
*Possible Spoiler Alert!!*I happened by this film on accident while going through lists of movies. I'd heard Niccolo Paganini's compositions in the past and figured I'd give the film a try. MAGNIFICENT! The actors in this portrayed their parts with such passion and delicacy. The music is heavenly.. Takes your soul on a journey. If you're a fan of classical music, dramatic movies, and immense feels, then this is definitely a film you should watch. I do believe I'll watch it again soon. The tricky Devil was a character who will play with your mind over and over. Betrayal and heartbreak was woven into this film as well, as you see with many dramas. Absolutely perfect. Must find it on DVD.
kosmasp
This can be seen as a parable, as a story that does ring true for any artist. Being good at something might not be enough. You might need a little help to push you over a certain edge/line, to become what you always dreamt you can (or could) be. Or main character is not exactly someone we might fall in love in (not sexually that is, just liking him is proving difficult most of the time).But there are reasons he acts (plays) the way he does. There is certain downfalls that befall a person that is easily deceived. Or had a certain tendency to be too full of themselves. Of course there might be a light at the end of the tunnel. The question is if one can reach that end of the tunnel ... A nice movie that could have tried to tell a bit more, than it actually does. As it is, it's a decent movie with fine performances.
