Hauntingly beautiful

Rating: Null/10 (25 January 2000)

This film uses the interesting devise of looping time around two events: the reading of Tarot cards by a fortune teller/servant in the 1600's, and a modern day auction. At first it threw me, but it proved to be an ingenious was of pulling together stories on the varius owners of the red violin. This is a gem of a film -practically faultless. The youngster playing Kasper was breathtaking. Samuel Jackson was excellent for the most part. Two outstanding moments for Jackson: when he first holds the violin, caresses it with gentleness and awe; when he first hears it being played. His eyes foretell the final outcome. The ending disturbed me, but after further thinking I realized that this was simply "another story", and ensured that the red violin would continue its journey.