A fine film, worth watching but much over rated.

Rating: 6/10 (21 January 2001)

The Red Violin starts just before the end and is told through flashbacks. There are actually three stories, intricately interwoven. First is the making of the violin itself, second the violin at the auction house and third, the main story, tracing the red violin through more than 300 years. We know from very early that this violin is the premiere lot at an auction of very valuable musical instruments, yet repeatedly wonder how it can possibly survive it's long journey. Each stage of it's journey is revealed in due course. The secondary stories have their surprises also but one contains the movie's major flaw. No motive is supplied for the actions of a secondary but necessary player and some big questions have no answer, making for a less than satisfying end.
Nearly everything about The Red Violin is well done. As with any movie that traces many characters over a long period of time, it doesn't stay with any of them long enough for us to get to know them well and thus to really care about them. I could easily sit through this movie a second time but don't know why I'd want to. Once you know the twists and turns what is there to bring you back again? And again? Really good movies (8 - 10) have extras that keep bringing you back for more. For me they include characters you really care about, brilliant dialog, lines and situations that make you laugh numerous times and thrilling action. The Red Violin has none of these; I never laughed nor had a moist eye. It's surely neither a dialog or action movie. It has a complex plot and strong appeal to the ears and eyes.
I normally need to see a movie three times to sort out the 8's, 9's and 10's. I give The Red Violin a 6 which puts me in the bottom 12% of those who've voted. Watch it, enjoy it but don't expect a masterpiece.