A little thought which came to me:

One violin to rule them all
One violin to find them
One violin to bring them all
And in the music bind them

This film's "hook", so to speak, is in its main character: a violin. The movie is a mythic tale about the journies of an instrument with a soul, travelling through centuries and across continents. Bestowed with love, passion, and personality by its creator, it would affect the life of every person it reached.

The music alone is enough to make the movie worth watching. The compositions of John Corigliano, brought to life by the London Philharmonic, are an absolute pleasure to listen to. They go a long way toward giving the instrument the life it takes on in the story.

I counted no less than 4 languages being spoken through the course of the film, all filmed on location in their respective locales, lending an air of authenticity to the atmosphere of scope through which the stories are told. All but my native tongue were properly subtitled, of course.

What is it about it that makes the movie so personally affecting (to me, at least)? There is some kind of childlike inspiration in the idea that our toys (or instruments (or computers)) could possess a life, personality, and history of their own. The mystical wonder of a grand destiny which transcends the borders of nation, locality, or any one person. Yet these very things comprise the pieces of the journey, so they are of upmost importance.

The only cast member with whom I was familiar before watching this was the great Samuel L. Jackson, but the entire cast was wonderful. Different actors for different times, different places, and different languages. That must have been fun to direct.

This movie is amazing. I might have to buy a copy for myself after I return this one to netflix. Perhaps, perhaps.