Customer Reviews

Music Box [VHS]

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

What if your Dad, the loving and beloved head of your middle-class American family, was suddenly charged with war crimes? This is the scenario for THE MUSIC BOX, a 1990 release, in which Jessica Lange plays a criminal defense lawyer asked by her widower father to defend him against such charges being brought by the US government on behalf of Hungary. The father, played by Armin Mueller-Stahl, is alleged to have committed multiple atrocities as an officer of a neo-Nazi police unit in Budapest during World War II. A complicating element is the father's vocal anti-communism, for which, he claims, the Red regime back in the old country is masterminding a frame-up. (Remember, we're talking about bad ol' days of the Cold War here.) Anyway, the Old Man needs a hotshot attorney, so his dutiful and devoted daughter takes the case.

Another reviewer has concluded that the plot is "far-fetched". Hmm. I would think that those aging American residents who've actually been charged with Nazi war crimes during the past couple of decades might not find it so far-fetched at all. Some have even been deported. Perhaps he's referring to the storyline that calls for the accused to be defended by his own offspring. OK, that probably wouldn't happen in real life. But, what is an otherwise idle Hollywood screenwriter to do when called upon to help fabricate a box office success?

The plot's arguable implausibility aside, both Lange and Mueller-Stahl give forceful and bravura performances as two people caught up in the fading echoes of receding history. The final scene between the two should have earned Lange that year's Oscar, but sadly didn't. There're also some quite good visual images of Budapest, which, at the end of the Cold War when this film was shot, was probably the Eastern Bloc's most beautiful capital city.

Notwithstanding that I've always been a little in love with Jessica Lange ever since TOOTSIE, I liked this film a lot. "They" say you can't go back. But, sometimes past history comes to visit uninvited.

Having originally seen the film when it was released, and owning the VHS version ( which by the way has captions) I could not believe the extremely poor quality of the DVD. I have slowly been replacing my videos w/DVD versions. In this case I will keep the VHS and get rid of my just purchased DVD copy. The film, the director, actors, are all incredibly good. I would give it 10 if there were such a number available, but certainly a 5. However the quality of the sound is so poor that if there were minus numbers, I would use them. Others have already written of the format, etc. so I will not repeat all that, but I agree that it should have had the option of widescreen,etc. But for the sound, there is NO excuse. It is not only poor, but at times, when the actors are speaking in a low voice, the DVD is inaudible. There is NO such problem on the VHS, and if there were there is captioning to resort to. Since there is no problem w/the sound on the video, it never occurred to me that the DVD would have such a big one.
If you can find a VHS copy, I would recommend it over this DVD.

Jessica Lange gives a great performance as the hungarian daughter who's father is accused of war crimes. Well plotted and suspensful, this film was overlooked at oscar time. It should have won a few.

This film contains the best performance of Jessica Lange's auspicious career hands down. This was also American audiences introduction to the wonderful Armin Mueller-Stahl in the role of Lange's father. Thank goodness I saw this film on the big screen, and then later on the Widescreen Laserdisc. I have never seen this film panned and scanned, and i refuse to now, even though it has been released on DVD. So, unless Artisan Home Video intends on re-releasing this outstanding film in the correct 2.35:1 aspect ratio and in the 16x9 format, they are not getting my money.

If gritty and high strung drama is your bag, then The Music Box is a must see. I can remember the first time I saw it some five years ago. The ending left me all taut with the agony that Mrs. Talbot (Jessica Lange) must work through. The ultimate drama about the power of truth, hidden and revealed, the Music Box is a tense ride. Even the second time around.

Lange gives one of her most intense performances as a first generation American and hot shot lawyer who must defend her father against charges of bestial war crimes committed some fifty years ago in the glowing embers of a dying Europe. To be precise, in the then fascist satellite state of Hungary, then in the grips of Hitler wannabe, Andras Szalasi and his vicious band of goons, the Arrow Cross.

The ever professional Armin Mueller Stahl serves up a riveting performance as the refugee who sought American haven to hide his shameful secret. His character highlights the dark side of American immigration. People not only escaping poverty and prejudice, but justice and truth as well. Even Mr. Laszlo wants to believe that the American Dream can wipe his slate clean. But in vain, as his past closes in.

All the while, Lange bravely struggles to protect her beloved papa, refusing to see what is before her face. Yet, little by little, as the witnesses build up their mountain of irrefutable evidence, tears and all, doubt begins to creep in. Finally, she travels to Hungary, where the truth begins to unravel......and she is forced into the most painful of decisions.....the truth or her love for her father......

This film is quite cathartic and like the other Gravas masterwork, Missing, asks some difficult questions. Yet, unlike Missing, The Music Box gives us an answer. The truth shall set you free. And at great cost.

Despite its occasional heavy handedness, the Music Box is a sterling little drama that will leave you purged and cleansed. Like all good drama should!

"The Music Box" is a wonderfully compelling story that highlights issues of personal integrity. In the lead role, Jessica Lange is faced with fundamental ethical quandries. Should she seek the truth? If the truth is harsh, should she face it or evade it? Should she excuse actions by one of her own that she would denounce in others? If you're one of the few looking life in the face, see "The Music Box."

I own this film on Laserdisc. It is in WIDESCREEN 2:35 anamorphic presentation. I once saw a VHS version in full screen. Awful! In a world where widescreen and 16x9 are common even for the most dopiest of films that Hollywood puts out, didn't anyone have the sense to care about its original aspect ratio? Guess not.

I did find a region 2 PAL DVD version from Spain that does offer it in WIDESCREEN; runs about $29 with shipping. I ordered it because it's unlikely this film will be redistributed here in widescreen anytime soon. Classic film with great performances.

I watch this movie each time it comes on to see the two lead performers work magic. The characters are well-drawn and the actors make you care about them. The story is compelling; it kept me guessing till the end. It's also good as a pseudo history lesson about some of the atrocities of WWII and how it still affects people today. I highly recommend this drama.

This film is riveting. Every time I watch it, I am struck by the intensity of my emotional reaction. What daughter hasn't loved her father and wanted him to be her hero?

In "The Music Box," a fifty year old secret turns a family into a battleground. A father is accused of the most horrible crimes imaginable. His devoted daughter runs to his rescue. The pacing and suspense are superb. Scene by scene we see witness after witness reveal a knowledge of this man that the daughter cannot fathom. They have the wrong man. The wrong man, she states with resolve. Her defense is that it is a case of mistaken identity.

During his trial, she learns that her father has been having an affair with a neighbor for ten years. She realizes that her father is expert at keeping secrets. She is shocked that she never saw this aspect of his personality. Her secretary sees what the daughter cannot see. The secretary helps her find the courage she needs.

Forrest Tucker, who is prosecuting her father, is compassionate, yet determined to see her father brought to justice. But the daughter is brighter and better at the law than her opponent. She wins legal point after legal point.

Around all this emotional turmoil, we are once again reminded of the atrocities of World War II. We see the suffering and agony of the survivors of man's inhumanity against his human family.

The ending of this film makes my heart pound for about the last twenty minutes. If you gloss over truth in your life and trade in rationalizations, you might not enjoy this film. It is a film for those who are willing to lose what appears to be valuable,in return for what is only valuable,the absolute and undeniable truth.

Why does this DVD give only the version that is "formatted to fit your TV screen"? What a disappointment! I already owned the VHS tape and I had hoped for a widescreen version of this compelling movie on the DVD.