The Red Violin

Alright, so I'll admit I'm a sucker for anything with Samuel L. Jackson in it. This was the original intent in watching this film by François Girard. However, I ended up delightfully surprised with a tense, possible 'heist' film interwoven with history, mystery, and mysticism. That is a great combination in my book.

I was amazed that I developed such emotion for wooden main character honestly. The centuries that it spans and the people's it touches was beautifully crafted. Down to correct languages even! The journey that it takes was long and yet it still endured. It has a magic about it due to the blood that stains it (giving it the obvious title). The Red Violin causes the emotions of anger, betrayal, love, and sacrifice in it's owners. All emotional properties associated this blood of course.

In each of the lives shown the melancholy echo of the main theme is played (or once hummed). It provided good continuity but also carried the weight of meaning behind it. This is the 'tune' or 'soul' if you will of the violin and it grows and changes with each century. But perhaps becomes a little better with each rest and rebirth? Something easily said of humans as well.

I think this is true and sweet metaphor. But the words are best put by the immortal Joni.

We're captive on the carousel of time
We cant return we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game