beorhhouse
"I'll never watch another movie again!" cried my sweet-hearted wife as she wept uncontrollably as the final scene ended. Touched, I wept with her, but made no such vow. She may not keep the vow either, but I can see why she said what she did. This was my second viewing, her first. This time, though, I was deeply touched by everything in the film. 12 years ago, when I first saw it, it was fun, interesting, and for me a real salvation for an actor--Tim Roth--who normally plays the bad guy. Today I can easily say that of the thousands of films I have seen, this one out-ranks all of them--definitely is #1 in my book. I honestly can think of no other great film that is as good. Mary Poppins comes to mind, but still doesn't make the grade like this one. Oh, and we love, love, love Jazz. There's Ragtime here, and Dixieland, and Roaring 20s Jazz, and other Jazz styles--and even quite a bit of Classical. Roger Waters even steps in for one of his classic solos written for this film--and I'm a big Pink Floyd fan because of, you guessed it, their Jazz influence. I've gushed enough, I guess, but see this one, then get a copy for yourself, and watch it once a year--to remind yourself that the inner world, the inner kingdom, is far and away better than anything that world out there has to offer. Anything.
zengesther
I've heard this movie for a long time, but just watched it recently. An old movie, with all the classics, slow pace and deep perception about life, or something even bigger. The movie begins with a good story. What bothers me a bit is what the Italian farmer said about the voice of the sea. For me, it is a bit pretentious. And later, his daughter mentioned again about chasing the voice of the sea. The scream. What is said is a secret. For me, this is too much! But I loved the music inspired by this girl. What really enthralled me in meaning is his argument about finite and infinite. He can only create infinite music through finite piano keys.This philosophical part I can always relate with. But the music that I enjoyed the most is one that played by the Jazz king, the second one, and the one inspired by that girl. What moved me is the end, when he said to him I'm sorry my friend, but I'm not leaving the ship. I started to cry even for the longitude (I watched the Italian version, 160 + m) So I jumped several details. But I was still moved to tears. I think it's the perfect act of Tim Roth. His eyes, his innocence was perfected illustrated through his empty gaze. I could not stop crying hearing he joking about his conversation in heaven. How can I play piano with two right arms?
booly prop
This movie was great but it was also very frustrating. I kept waiting for him to just get off the boat at least once. Just step on land once. I mean what's the harm in that. I guess it's just the principle of it. I still don't think his reasoning for not getting off the boat was good enough. He was saying "How could you pick just one girl, one house, one way to die?" Well it was obvious he had already picked one girl. He also chose his one way to die. So it's obviously not too hard for him to choose with so many infinite possibilities. Also, pianos play the same on land as they do on boats. However, I give it nine out of ten stars because it did strike a chord with me as I have a very hard time making decisions and this movie really got me thinking. Also, Tim Roth is an excellent actor.
Kirpianuscus
Baricco. and Tornatore. Tim Roth. and a kind of parable.or delicate embroidery. a film who preserves the spirit and the flavor of original monologue. a film about life. as long trip. as form of fragile beauty. as mysterious gift. and a film about art. not only seductive but useful. because it reminds the old fairy tales. because it imagines large spaces of dreams. for the scene of duel. and, sure, for the music. a magnificent work. not for acting, image and script. but for the subtle emotions who remains after its end. a film who uses the old Tornatore's obsession about beauty. and its fragility who remains not only as sacrifice but as precious gift. a ship. a piano. and a man. few meetings. a strong friendship. and a shop. the magic of the past. and one of the memorable roles of Tim Roth.
AD
