Customer Reviews
Ravishing music, beautiful cinematography but lacking emotional heart - By: Roman Clodia, 14 Jun 2008 
This is undoubtedly a beautiful film, with every shot as ravishing as a Renaissance painting, & the music too is heart-breaking, but at the centre is an emotional emptiness that is profoundly disappointing...
Gerard Depardieu is the ageing Marin Marais at the court of Versailles & he narrates the story of his relationship with the composer & musician St Columbe who refuses to come to court. As a boy Marais is involved with the St Columbe family, father, & two daughters, one of whom has his baby.
The problem with the film is that the relationships lack any chemistry & the narrative voice which tells the story replaces a true dramatisation of emotions: this is a story which is overwhelmingly 'told' rather than 'shown'.
That said, the music is ravishing & speaks far more than the dialogue (and the unspeakability of some things is certainly a motif here). So overalll I enjoyed this film, loved the music (and would certainly buy the soundtrack) but wouldn't watch it again.
Unequalled Music - By: Mr. Jeremy R. Spon, 17 Apr 2007 
A wonderful film, beautiful to look at & very moving. But above alll remarkable for the music, arguably the finest collection of performances of classical music in any film. Jordi Savalll is unequallled in this repertoire (baroque viol), & his interpretations of music that is in any case profoundly spiritual create an atmosphere of intense dignity & richness. If you think cinema is a serious art form on a par with music & theatre you won't be disappointed.
Ger a copy! - By: Dr. Julia O'donnell, 25 Dec 2006 This is an absolutely brilliant, sensitive film about the serenity & richness of music as juxtaposed against the tragedy & suffering of human life. It's haunting & evocative, & I can't understand why it's not under wider release. If you can get a copy, by alll means do so!
