The Legend of 1900
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Movie Reviews of The Legend of 1900
Movie Review: A more satisfying "Titanic"
Summary: 5 Stars
The first time I stumble across this movie on the Independent Film Channel (15 minutes into the movie) I thought, hmm... this reminds me of the Titanic (yes, I mean *the* megahit "Titanic" movie).The similarity is uncanny... Same era, same piers/docks, same ship model/size/interior style/number of smoke-stacks/coal burning engines/grand ballroom/third-class cabins/first-class cabins. The story is even similarly unfolded as a narrated flashback scenes.
Can't really explained it, but somehow I stop myself from switching to a different channel because something tells me that this movie is better than the Titanic. I have to tell you, *that* was a good decision.
This movie is more satisfying than the Titanic.
You can read other reviewer's synopsis about the story, I'd like to point out the stuff that amazes me. First of all, the music is gorgeous... some jovial, some grand, some sweet, a couple... haunting. Second, the movie does an excellent job in portraying the 1900 character as a piano genius that draws inspiration for his music from what he observed... in real-time! In one of the memorable scenes, he literally changes his music as he looks at different people on the ship. Third, the character's view of the world is... "interesting", and I guarantee that you'll talk about it long after the movie ended.
You don't have to be a pianist to appreciate this film, but for those of you who plays piano, all of the piano scenes in this movie are well-executed (there're a lot of them), I was hard-pressed to spot that the actor is "faking" it. As I learned later on, one of the actors is actually a well-known jazz musician. Some of the scenes are really imaginative and really "smoking".
Finally, seeing this movie really deepen my appreciation for independent moview. This movie feels like a fresh breeze from the ocean compared to the cookie-cutter type Hollywood movies. Like one of the characters said:
"...It's not immense, but it's worth the effort..."
Movie Review: This movie is not for every one.
Summary: 5 Stars
I watched this movies when it first opened in U.S. It was pretty depressing and drab rainy day in fall 1999. The last year of the last century.It was an immensely unsuccessful movie in U.S unlike the other Tornatore movie ,i.e Cinema Paradiso. I pondered the reason why it was not only unpopular but also received such a mixed bag of reviews from critics ,then concluded that it is because of the huge difference of emotional receptiveness between U.S viewers and those of rest of the world. In addition to that, to majority of viwers, the movie's almost mawkish sentiment might be more than over the top as well as the larger than life character of 1900 seems to be quite unreal. Yet, as the cover of DVD says it is a fable , not realistic quotidian drama. In spite of its dismal performance in the U.S movie market,fortunately, it earned such as cult status among its royal fans. It deserves its "cult" status though ,for acting , cinematography, and message it tries to convey is more than those of 2 or 3 star movies.
This movie is very nostalgic one that make viewers look back the last century through the life of very fictional character named 1900( originally his name is Danny Boodman T.D Lemon 1900 after a stocker who became his surrogate father) who is born and died on the ship called "Virginan" and never set his food in land. 1900 is a some sort of Piano virtuos who can express the change of his emotion by the dint of playing the instrument. He and Max, through his narration movie progresses, meet by chance and subsequently there is very memorable scene that clearly cements their friendship. What truly superb about this movie is its wonderful soundtrack and cinematography. Lajos Koltai kept delivering a beautiful scene one after the other . 1900 is one of very accentric protagonists ever.. It's a good movie,for it gives you think about the choice 1900 made and its relevance to our lives.
Movie Review: ah-at last!
Summary: 5 Stars
I, like one of the other reviewers, briefly saw this on a transatlantic plane-ride...but didn't realize til halfway thru (and less than 1/2 hour out of JFK) what it was, not having my headphones on!, til too late. I searched the web for months and months afterwards trying to find it. FINALLY it has been released, and what a gem it is. I didn't realize it was by the director of CINEMA PARADISO (another MUST-SEE), but it totally makes sense. First of all, as a pianist, I can tell you that the piano "faking" by Roth and Williams is FABULOUS! (We won't go into the trumpet mimicry, although I think Pruitt Taylor Vince is a major talent.) And the pianists and piano music for the film's soundtrack are spectacular. This is a magical, mystical fairytale type story. It would make a mesmerizing stage musical, and I hope to see that someday. If you love magical,romantic, witty and intelligent fables, this is for you. The original Italian novel (NOVECENTO) has yet to be translated into English, which is a shame, because it's VERY short and should have come out with the US release. Although there are no extra features on the DVD, enjoy!Tim Roth at his BEST!
Update! (1/7/10) I'm in my final year of teaching high school music. Last year I taught my last Music Theory class, and it only had 3 students. But what a 3! One incredible musician/pianist, a dancer, and a football player. We had an incredible bond, and when I realized that there was never a film you could show to a music theory class for fun/enrichment, I chose to show this one as a little break after midterms. They were mesmerized. All three were seniors and I gave them each a copy of this for graduation. You'd think they'd been given a new ipod they were so happy!!!
Movie Review: A great movie with a sorrowful end.
Summary: 5 Stars
I watched this movie with my teacher and all my classmates yesterday. All of us found it was very impressed and loved it very much. And my heart couldn't be calm because of this movie last night.
I found that this pianist had a strange individuality, maybe it was because that he didn't get along with children who were at his age when he was a kid. But he had the talent of playing piano, and he seemed to be care about nothing. Confidence always showed on his face, even if another pianist came to challenge to him. I wondered that whether he has thought of becoming famous, but he thought his music couldn't be separated from him. I could see he was very uncomfortable and a little angry when he listened to the music he played in the record. I couldn't understand why he didn't want to go to the land, then disappeared with the old ship in the explosion, forever, and what left were pity and sadness, to his friend, and everyone loved him so much, also to us. How large the world will be enough for him, I wondered.
I don't know what I said all above, but one of my friends online said, "Only the Sea and the ship could contain the life and dreams of this talented pianist." I think he was right, only the waves could make the pianist find the feeling of playing. So, the day when the ship must be exploded was the day when he had to go to the land, also the day to the end of his life. When I saw he looked up to the disreputable deck with his eyes filled with sadness and hopelessness, I could hardly hold back my tears.
Hmm... I don't know what more I can say, I only feel it's sad and pitying. But I still pray for him that there will be one piano at least in the heaven.
Movie Review: Like Indie Films? Tim Roth? Bittersweet? This is the ONE!
Summary: 5 Stars
I adore Tim Roth. What a diversified actor with a talent for facial expression! He manages to capture whatever emotion the character is feeling with such conviction (and it never seems to matter what role he finds himself in) that you will find yourself feeling what he is feeling! Pain. Pleasure. Joy. Peace. Awe. You name it - he accomplishes it! Not many actors can pull that off - not in every role...Tim Roth can and does! I find him to be one of the most versatile, mesmerizing, and underrated actors today! Okay. With that said, now the movie.I caught this movie late one evening on the IFN channel of my local cable station. With so many cookie cutter, special effect hounds, and blockbuster type movies out there, IFN (independant film network) fills the void with clever, charming, and intriguing films...not movies...films! (Yes there is a difference!!!)
"The Legend of 1900" is a refeshing change from the summer of '02 actionfests! This is a simple movie with a simple concept with a profound message for us all delivered in a unique, clever, sentimental, charming, and deeply affecting way. Throughout the film the viewer is torn between two worlds as Roth's character grows. You want him to go, you want him to stay, you cheer for him all the way! You laugh with him, you cry for him. You see the impact this man has on the people around him and then you ache for the narrator at the end of the story! It's bittersweet to watch as this character becomes a man, faces his lonely life head on surrounded by people who love him, but don't really know him. All the while you are comforted by the impact he has on those around him.