The Concert

I don't care about the comedy; it's the heart-rending evil of the Soviet Union tearing her Jewish parents away from a brilliant, beautiful woman, who becomes a superb violinist in the footsteps of her unknown mother; she discovers this mother through her rendering of Tchaikovsky's violin concerto. We need to be moved in this cold world, and this film contains a climax to move the most stolid of self-appointed critics.

I thought I could sum up my feelings about Le Concert by using a simple analogy: this film is sort of like your best friend who has a good heart, but sometimes does and says the wrong things. You know your friend always means well, and sometimes even delights you with a special treat, and so you continue to love him/her. Like that well meaning friend, Le Concert has some technical flaws, and at times doesn't seem to make sense, but this film absolutely has a heart of gold. Just look past the little flaws and take it for what it is: a feel-good film that will have you smiling at the end. That's what friends are for.

Classified in France as a Drama this film is full of laughs tempered with what is apparently based on a true and harrowing story. Others have already written about the plot so just enough here to say what a great film this is. Especially amusing was the issuing of their forged passports in the airport foyer under the noses of the guards. I loved the way that the various ex-orchestra members went their various ways with their enterprising money-making ventures, seizing the opportunity to make the most from their unexpected chance to go from impoverished Russia to Paris to make a fast buck. Especially impressive was the fact that Melanie Laurent spent a lot of time preparing for the role of violin virtuoso by studying under a professional violinist for several weeks beforehand - and it showed. Thoroughly recommended.

This movie takes you through a journey where for more than half of the time you collect elements without knowing it, just enjoying a funny and very well directed story. Then, when the concert actually begins, everything collapses and, together with the violinist, you have a sublime as unexpected epiphany that deeply moves you, filling you with joy. Mélanie Laurent is perfect in the role and I believe she is actually a fundamental catalyst for the story and the emotion that it conveys. "The Concert" lifts the bar of what you should be expecting from a movie. It is also a perfect example of how Europeans can still use the cinema not just to entertain but to enrich the public.

Since I loved the performance of Melanie Laurent in the Inglorious Bastards I had Le Concert on my watch list. And decided to watch it in the midst of the turnmoil around the Ukraine crisis and connected collective hate campaign against all that is Russian. This movie brings you a tast of the complexity of the Russian past with a touch of humor and culture that might be Russian. This is a tale of a life that can turn into a masterpiece after 30 years of hibernation. It is a movie about family finally finding each other back. This is a movie about life being a miracle...and you never know when life organizes itself for you to shine. It is a movie of hope and beauty with its wonderful music as well. And without spoiling your experience...expect a Grand Finale...at the last seconds of the movie. A must watch in dark times.

This story is a superb feeling, and intention that I think couldve been a masterpiece, if the cinematography was a bit more artistic and adequate to the feeling in the eyes of "the master" . I hope someone takes charge and rewrites the story and sets it correctly with the Wes Anderson feeling and also the music being the heart of the film in all times every aspect I wish people would have seen it as I see it and I completed with my heart being exploded because I am a true lover of Tchaikovsky's music and that I think compensates a lot so that is why I will always remember this movie as one of my favorites but still will long for that directors touch that it lacked

I was apprehensive at the start of this movie, the language for instance, Russian, French, I don't really understand them so despite being used to reading subtitles it's always nice to understand the actual spoken language a bit. However, the movie will capture you in such a way this hurdle is easily overcome. It's funny, no, you won't laugh your socks off, but it's just funny at times. It's also mysterious as you will see things developing from which you want to know where it goes. It's a human story, taken from life as it's played as such, like if it's real, not acted. Watch it and be amazed, well worth the time.

This is a funny, refreshing, way-non-American, zany, completely different movie. It is even touching at some points. Watch this for great 'slice of life' moments in the 'new' Russia and how the past still haunts Russians. Oh, and the music is of course wonderful, Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto. Hope it springboards you to find out more about musty old 'classical' music. It's not so easy to 'get' it, but boy, nothing compares. Plenty of very good versions, so shop around online and see the reviews and ratings. The titan David Oistrakh is usually a good bet, and so are most of the younger stars these days like Midori or Joshua Bell.

Preposterous, clumsy, unfunny. Sure you can sympathize with the ostracized conductor stuck cleaning a concert hall. And a chance at a long-lost relationship. But really, proposing a program including at least one piece he has never conducted? And who gives a crap about rehearsals - let's just throw the old gang together, sans instruments, and see what happens. Awful stilted English dubbing. Anyone can predict the things that go wrong. So many good films about classical music and its passions. I gave up on this pathetic attempt about half-way through, figuring "if it's been this bad so far, what are the odds it will improve?"