Beautiful, Engaging Film; Terrible Ending

Rating: 7/10 (29 December 1999)

The RED VIOLIN is well acted, beautifully filmed, and the story is extremely engaging.
The ending is way, way too pretentious. After following the history of the instrument for 300 years, we have no logical reason to believe that Morritz was the violin's "Saviour," or that his choice for it's contemporary ownership meant the end to its wanderings through time, except for the Director (and story) telling us so. We are left more inclined to believe the violin will go on, and that Morritz and his daughter are just another stop in its journey. What arrogance to say otherwise.
I will not even go into Morritz's "end justifies the means" morals.
Such a terrible ending to such a wonderful, beautiful film.