The Legend of 1900
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Movie Reviews of The Legend of 1900
Movie Review: To Reality I Go Not...
Summary: 5 Stars
To reality I go not...for 'tis here I choose to remain. Nuances of The Eagle's Gift (Carlos Casteneda) and the tonal come to mind as this landless nagual chooses to remain where HE wants to be, at risk of the lure of fame, loveliness, fortune and the expansive and endless world. It took me over 30 years to experience reality beyond the traditions, icons and allegations of duality, and to hear its call drawing me away to reality's loving embrace. And as I partook of its gentleness, and longed to share it with the world, I found myself intentionally pausing on my own gangplank, just two steps away. I had to admit that despite its obvious shortcomings and disappointments, I wanted this world where the keyboard is quite finite...for it is here that my joy finds expression, and makes my longing heart sing and soar. Whether it is Carlitos taking the courage in hand to leap from the pinnacle in hopes of assembling a new world before reaching the ultimate disaster below, or is perhaps 1900 facing...not a tragic end, but the loving acceptance of all he and his world mean to him personally. I have never read anything by Alessandro Baricco, nor heard of him before today. And judging then by the movie alone...it is not merely quirky, eccentric, or compelling. It is indeed a masterpiece, in flavor not unlike the Call of the Wild (Jack London) versus the sanity of survival. As el matadore...1900 faces "his" world head on, rather than spending his soul on an alluring tomorrow's world. Where indeed can I dwell, but here in my own heart?Movie Review: Go for the longer Italian version of this magical film
Summary: 5 Stars
I've adored this movie from the beginning to the Hong Kong DVD to the Canadian DVD and now the Italian DVD which is 169 minutes long and has a second disc with interviews and how the movie was made, etc.This longer version adds even more magic to this unforgettable film. It's as though these wonderful, memorable characters came back to just tell you a few things more. Most of the additional footage is in the first half of the film and no matter how well you know the shortened version, the additions are virtually seamless, making you think they were there all along.
For those who question why this film didn't do well originaly, it was released around the time of Cameron's "Titanic" and people had all the wrong expectations for this one.
The Italian version (in PAL format) has dialogue and subtitles in both English and Italian for not just the film, but the bonus materials too, so many (well, if you have a multi-region DVD player) people can enjoy. This movie is reason enough to blast the studios for fighting all multi-region "firmware" out there for DVD players. Otherwise, we'd have to go to Italy to see this version. Ridiculous.
Oh, if you get it, turn on the subtitles--since they were done in Italy (the Canadian DVD has none), it seems they might be from the original script and you can compare them to the onscreen dialogue which is more idiomatic and character-driven.
Now can we please get the long version of "Bagdad Cafe" on DVD? The one that runs on Bravo....
Movie Review: A mythical fable
Summary: 5 Stars
This work of Giuseppe Tornatore is an original issue in the celluloid.The story tells us about a child born in the middle of the ocean , (so forget about what's his birthplace), that lack of no land human being gives him that mythical character.
The script shows the process of growing up of this boy , who gradually became in the official pianist of that ship called Virginian, (another smart clue) .
The time comes for him , the piano and his intimate friend , the trumpeter are the only friends he has.
All the story is told in third person, before a seller of old musical instruments and musical scores; I mean a true dialogue between two categories of memories ; the emotional and the historical.
In that sense Tornatore signs his directorial prints on his favorite theme: the memory. That's the clever device of Cinema Paradiso.
But the pianist (in a brilliant performing of this underestimated actor of one million carats talent, Tim Rith), refuses in every decisve moment to leave his own country ship; he belongs to it. He was born there and a invisible link ties him: not even the only love , and mighty inspiration motive for his best composition is capable of make leaving his water home.
Beautiful , poetical and amazing tale with multiple laughable sequences, are surrounded by that duty fate of mixing with the ground land .
An unforgettable experience that will reward you from beginning to end.
Don't miss this one.
Movie Review: How Large Does The World Need To Be?
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Legend of 1900" is a movie unlike almost any other I have seen. It takes place entirely on a ship at sea, but the action spans more than 40 years. It is the story of a musical genius who is born, lives out his life, and ultimately dies on board a grand trans-Atlantic liner in the first half of the 20th century. He watches the world pass him by just a few thousand people at a time, has a fabulous piano-duel with none other than Jelly Roll Morton, is sought after by recording companies, and listens to and learns from the music of all the different cultures who are emigrating from the Old World to the New, but he never once leaves the ship. Indeed, the mere thought of setting foot on land is his ultimate nightmare.I remember having a guest over one evening who was seeing it for the very first time. His reaction (after wiping a tear from his eye) was to exclaim "what a wonderful movie! How did anyone even get a film that quirky made?" There is no Hollywood 'formula' to this film. It proceeds without any of the usual conventions: no good guy vs. bad guy struggles, no sex, no violence, and no crude jokes. It is like that really good book that you start reading one night when it is already too late but are unable to put down until you have turned the last page.
Movie Review: A Legendary Film You've Never Heard Of
Summary: 5 Stars
The Legend of 1900 is an amazing film about a man who was born on a cruise ship in 1900, and never set foot on land. Abandoned as a newborn in the ballroom of the ship, 1900 is found, adopted, and given his name by a crewman. One night in his childhood, he is discovered playing the piano in the ballroom by the captain and astonished guest. Why astonished? Because he's a prodigy.
The film is narrated by 1900's friend, Max, a trumpet player who meets him on the night the ship is being tossed around by a storm. Max is seasick as hell, and 1900 helps him through. Max and 1900 become fast friends, and the film flashes back and forth in time during Max's narration, from Max's present, at the port where the now-ancient ship is rusty and ready for demolition, and the ship's heyday. We watch 1900 as a true musician; he's a man who just loves playing piano for everyone, rich or poor. We also see him through the eyes of the passengers he meets.
The score is beautiful and haunting, with a touch of aching nostalgia thrown in for good measure. I have the soundtrack on my wish list!
I do hope that you give this movie the time it deserves. The acting was engaging, and you really get sucked into the story before you know it.