Storyline

A famous pianist who is struggling with stage fright late in his career finds inspiration with a free-spirited music critic.

Plot Keywords

pianist, free spirit, music lover, creative, uplifting, tender, london, swiss alps, concert stage, stage fright, inspiration, muses, rise, metamorphosis, 2010s

Short Review

The GOOD: The romantic leads of Stewart and Holmes again show themselves to be consummate professionals at their craft. There is nothing missing - the upturned eyebrow, the wry smile, the love.The BAD: The story arc is not daring. The two hours are too restrained. We like the characters, but we don't deeply care about them. And that is essential in this type of movie.The UGLY: This could have been so much more! It was all there - the FIRST ACT, where an aging pianist knows he is facing the end of his career. The SECOND ACT, where he meets a woman who changes his life through... love... of music and of him.The THIRD ACT, (CAUTION: SPOILER ALERT), where his world crashes down as she dies in a car accident visually represented by only a white screen. The remaining question is: Should he play one last, career-topping concert despite his grief. What an opportunity for FORESHADOWING here! Early on, she could have told him a story about something in her life where she plowed on despite sadness. Then, at the end, it is remembering her story that gives him the push to play one last concert.I think a movie should take you on a roller coaster ride - up to elation, down to sadness, full of plot turns and exciting people and places. And THAT is where this movie falls down. It saddens me to say all this because this movie as a welcome change of pace from the Superhero universe. At a time when movies are geared to ages too young to drive, a mature love story is warmly to be welcomed. Alas, we are not rewarded by the script. Our roller coaster ride is slow and largely uneventful. We want emotional spills and chills and instead we get a leisurely ride through the countryside. A college drama class would have a field day with this lackluster script. I wanted EMOTION! I wanted to see Stewart rage against the dying of the light! I wanted to see Holmes feeling like a schoolgirl with her first crush on a boy and can't believe it! I wanted to see the Maestro struggle on stage with his piano performance - sweat, smile, shift in his seat, exalt with exuberance, see his depth during slow movements on the keyboard, revel in his victory over a complex musical section. O, death, where is thy sting? It's certainly not written into the script. Without a fast track, we passengers cannot enjoy an exciting roller coaster ride. How i wish I could have said this to the producers BEFORE it was filmed. I read that Coppola told Puzo that his book for the Godfather needed more vibrancy. Someone desperately needed to tell that to the screenwriter of this movie.

Trailer

Streaming Service

1. Amazon Video : Rent from $1.99, Or $0.00 with a Prime membership

2. Apple iTunes : Track Price: 9.99, Track Rental Price: 4.99, Collection Price: 9.99, Track Hd Price: 12.99, Track Hd Rental Price: 4.99, Collection Hd Price: 12.99

3. Vudu : [SD - Buy: 7.99, Rent: 2.99] [HDX - Buy: 9.99, Rent: 3.99]