Kevin Lazzari | Special to the Fitzhugh
When a movie has the word Legend in the title I often wonder if the film will live up to its title.
The word to me is one that implies an amazing story that often falls short. The rating for this movie is 8.1 which proves the title is right because how could 57,573 people be wrong based on their votes.
1900 is a film that does not rely on special effects or gimmicks. It is something more because it has a story that wants to be told. Pruitt Taylor Vince is the storyteller and he pulls it off with grace. We are drawn in from the minute he starts telling us about a musician that was born on an ocean liner in 1900.
The story mixes the present and past and the viewer becomes trapped by the dialogue. Each word Vince tells us is a valuable gem to really find out who the unknown piano player really is.
The visuals and the story blend together to make the music come alive with the background complementing each scene. Tim Roth played the mysterious piano player who grew up on the floating palace who one day would become a legend. He convinced me that he played every single note because that is the kind of actor he is known for. I cannot think of one film that starred Roth that I did not want to watch again. His character in 1900 is a departure from the roles he has taken on in the past. Giuseppe Tornatore could see the vision of Tim Roth playing a concert pianist.
If you like brilliant music scores, Tim Roth, and Tornatore’s films this is a must watch.
Kevin Lazzari, owner of Video Stop, is reviewing movies for the Fitzhugh.
The Legend of 1900 (1998) is available on DVD, Blu-ray and for digital download.
