Bernard Rose's elegantly staged but tonally flat biopic embraces the myth, even underscoring Paganini's rising fame, scandalous hedonism, and womanizing as an anachronistic form of rock-star fantasy.
The Devil's Violinist
Germany, Italy · 2013
Rated R · 2h 2m
Director Bernard Rose
Starring David Garrett, Joely Richardson, Jared Harris, Andrea Deck
Genre Drama
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The life story of Italian violinist and composer, Niccolò Paganini, who rose to fame as a virtuoso in the early 19th Century.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
The Hollywood Reporter by Frank Scheck
Ponderously paced and mostly flat in its dramatic effect, this wooden period piece is slow going indeed.
The New York Times by Jeannette Catsoulis
A shallow commentary on how an artist’s talent can be subsumed by the desire for fame and fortune. Or maybe just by the need to make a movie.
The film is proof of both Garrett’s titanic skill at putting bow to string, and his decidedly less accomplished gifts as an actor.
Los Angeles Times by Sheri Linden
First-time actor Garrett is better at conveying Paganini's artistic sensitivity and self-indulgence than his innovative fire. When he picks up the fiddle, though, he speaks with eloquent authority.
RogerEbert.com by Simon Abrams
It's an anti-romantic biography about a great artist, one whose central themes are basic, but whose energy and execution is irresistible.
The Dissolve by Tasha Robinson
Garrett’s performance lacks any nuance or fire. When he’s playing, he’s a powerhouse. When he’s talking, he’s a half-presence with a vaguely Tommy Wiseau-esque accent, and sleepy eyes to match.
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