The Red Violin

I think I may have started Letterboxd. That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but in 1998, in college, I set up a box with index cards in the common room of my dorm where fellow students could write movie reviews on cards and file them in alphabetical order so others could read them, reply, and exchange ideas. I also used a five star system because Roger Ebert used four stars--and I thought that there should be a level for the all time greats, a fifth star (an idea I still hold). This was at a time just before the explosion of computers on college campuses--about half of students had computers. A few years later my film discourse and discussion moved online to the message boards. This was the first film that I wrote a card for that launched that movie box. I wish I could find the original box and my original review--but it is long lost to the mists of time. The thing I love most about this film is that it is not about a person, a person is not the main character, it does not follow a person through the times, achievements, and failures of their life, the film's main character is the violin. And its story extends far beyond one lifetime or one era. It's journey takes it to many lands and through many experiences--with the common themes of passion for music, appreciation for the precision and craft of the instrument, and how the violin and its superior sound are a driving force for life and purpose.