1999, 2 hrs 10 min., Not Rated but contains nudity and sexuality. Dir: Francois Girard. Cast: Samuel L. Jackson (Morritz) and a lot of people you've never heard of.

The Red Violin is one of those mysterious independent films that goes largely unnoticed by the mainstream viewing audience. Two years ago I wouldn't have paid any attention to it, rebelling against the so-called "artsy-fartsy" establishment of Hollywood. Now, however, I enjoy these movies, and was particularly intrigued by The Red Violin. It is a strange yet engrossing picture, as we follow the life of the violin through the lives of the people who possessed "the single most perfect acoustic machine" ever created.

What mainstream audiences will note, however, is that Samuel L. Jackson has a small role. His acting, though, is not much different than other recent roles in blockbusters. His job is just a bit different, but Jackson is the coolest, most badass expert on musical instruments you've ever seen. Of course, you've most likely never met one and it's a certainty none of the experts in real life have anywhere near Jackson's character.

Apart from Jackson, I guarantee you've never heard of any other actor or actress in The Red Violin. That is a given considering three-fourths of the cast is foreign, and don't speak English. Which is another warning to the anti-artsy crowd; much of the film is subtitled. Which should be a given considering the locations of the film: Italy, Austria and China. There is a brief stint in Britain, as well as modern-day scenes in Montreal, so there is a good bit in English as well when you get tired of reading. But if you've never seen a subtitled film, you're missing out, because it just comes natural after one minute, as the written words flow through your head as if spoken in English.

But I digress; now on to the story. The Red Violin, Il Violino rosso or Le Violin Rouge, whatever name it goes by, it's the most powerful instrument ever made. Created as an act of love in 1681 as the greatest masterpiece of Niccolo Bussotti's career, it travels the world for the next 300 years, either having an affect on the lives of those who play it, or just a great coincidence that the people who love the violin lead such interesting and sometimes tragic lives.

The story is told in a most interesting way; through a Tarot Card reading. Bussotti's wife, Anna, asks their servant to give a reading to forecast the life of their unborn child and Anna herself. We see how the cards reveal not hers, but the violin's fate, told in flashback everytime a new scene begins.

The Red Violin's journey: After the Bussotti family meets an unfortunate fate, the violin is given to a monastery where it stays for 100 years until young Kaspar Weiss' musical genius is discovered and he is brought to Vienna where all Wunderkinds are trained; travels the lands and seas with Gypsies for another 100 years until British virtuoso Frederick Pope buys it for inspiration in lust and love; brought to China where it is hidden from destruction during the Mao Cultural Revolution when all things Western are shunned and considered detrimental to the People (this is where the most touching moments occur, as a leading revolutionary cannot bring herself to destroy the violin because of its magical music); finally rests in peace? after an auction in Montreal where its beauty and story can be fully appreciated.

I'm not one for "getting something out of" films, either, but I may be able to have a deeper appreciation for the violin after seeing The Red Violin. After the movie I went to work, and we had a package about Cuban-U.S. youngsters holding a concert together, and I made particular note of the string section, staring at the violins to see if one was reddish in color. I know it's not a true story, but I'm glad the movie gave me a keener eye to the details of classical instruments. I've always loved classical music, but always the sounds, never the visuals of the passion with which musicians play.

Should you see The Red Violin? I'd say yes, because it was masterfully made, but if you're not one for "artsy" films, you would probably be bored. What you should appreciate, though, is how the picture is made, with several short stories pieced together by such a magical instrument that produces music that truly inspires, but also damns, its owners.