Customer Reviews

Vitus

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

VITUS-(2006-PG) was the Swiss entry in the 2006 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Film. It is a terrific family friendly film about a young prodigy (Vitus) who wants to grow up normal and his parents want him to use his incredible gifts and not waste them. While his mother does come across sometimes as selfish in her desires, I imagine if we put ourselves in her shoes, we might struggle with the same tensions of how to let him grow up 'normal' and also not waste his gifts. Vitus then takes it upon himself to ensure that he will grow up 'normal'. Through all this tension, he finds a friend in his grandfather who understands him and passes on his love of flying and woodworking, something his mother does not approve. She goes ballistic one day when she sees Vitus learning how to use a saw because of what it could do to his fingers if he had an accident. There are also some clever little twists in the story that make this a very interesting and entertaining family movie. [...].

VITUS is a film from Switzerland that has garnered many accolades and nearly won an Oscar. And yes, it is that good! Written by Fredi M. Murer, Peter Luisi, and Lukas B. Suter and directed by Murer, VITUS explores the life of a child genius, a lad who from the age of five is obviously gifted in that he can play Bach et al after only a few months lessons and is able to read books and understand concepts that make his stance in a regular kindergarten class untenable. But the film is less about the gifts of a child prodigy than it is a story of how a genius child longs for a normal childhood. It is in the telling of the story that the audience is privileged to discover the joys and trials in a child's view of being extraordinary.

Vitus - played at age 6 by Fabrizio Borsani and at age 12 by Teo Gheorghiu - is referred to as a little Mozart by his parents Helen (Julika Jenkins) and Leo (Urs Jucker), and by the family friends who are amazed at Vitus' gift as a pianist. But as is often the case with gifted children, they are overprotected, not allowed to engage in the normal activities of being a kid. Vitus finds consolation in his grandfather (a brilliant Bruno Ganz) whose creative energy includes Vitus in his longing to fly and to build complex machines. While Vitus continues his love for the piano he also takes risks with his beloved grandfather. Vitus' intelligence serves him well in analyzing the complexities of his father's job and his grandfather's role in that position, and it is his genius that leads the family in a direction no one thought possible. And of course with every story of an extraordinary young lad adapting to a puzzling world, there is also a love interest: Isabel at age 12 (Kristina Lykowa) is his fun-loving babysitter and at age 19 (Tamara Scarpellini) is the queen of his inexperienced heart and fill a void in Vitus' life that otherwise would be empty. Fitting all of these subplots together is made magical by Vitus' constant playing of classical music - a feat the young actor is capable of performing on his own!

The cast of this film is not only gifted but is also endearing. Bruno Ganz is a brilliant actor and he is matched by both of the young actors who play Vitus. The story is tender but avoids bathos. It simply is an uplifting, inspiring, entertaining film. A Must See! Grady Harp, November 07

This is an incredible movie in the fact it takes on genius and the expectations of genius, only to make a full U-turn and follow the heart. It is a good example of not placing our expectations upon others...they will rise to their own level on their own, often surpassing our dreams. Only true genius can become self actualized and happy as a result of pursuit. This movie is not about piano playing, but finding your happiness in spite of the world around us.

This brilliant fable about a child prodigy struggling to take flight remains among the few masterpieces in recent years. Swiss director Fredi M. Murer elicits superb performances from Fabrizio Borsani and Teo Gheorghiu (who portray the boy pianist at ages 6 and 12, respectively) while maintaining a charmingly eccentric tone. Bruno Ganz is wonderful as Vitus' grandfather. I would not change a single frame.

"Vitus" represents - neither more, nor less - a marvellous urban fable, around the lives and times of a prodigious child, whose IQ is far beyond the average.

But, living in these times with such genius is not easy. Vitus finds in his grandfather the creativeness, the irreverence and the breakthrough of any kind of rule or discipline. As a matter of fact his grandfather finds in its free time, an opportunity to innovate, his passion is to fly; on the other hand Vitus' father is a very smart designer and really surprises and even aims the company to get immersed into the financial market; his mother is aware about the unstoppable talent of his child and promotes him.

Vitus' passion for the music is just a sample of his multiple skills. But gradually, he will be disposed to materialize the golden dream of his grandfather (thanks to a smart knockout as the nickname of Dr. Wulf , helping at the same his father of a secure bankrupt and returning him the place he deserved in the company.

The affective life of this teenager is marvellously carved in relief through two lovable girls. The plot is like a surprises box, that never let you quiet. The film exudes that kind humanity and love for life that we usually are accustomed to watch in previous European films, (such Kolya, The 400 blows or Forbidden games for instance)

The great Bruno Ganz, despite his supporting role, is always welcome every time he appears, he is a real master of the acting, his infinite tenderness and legendary charisma have become one of these unreachable cult actors ( sharing honours with Hopkins, Armin Műller Stahl, Philipe Noiret , Jean Rochefort, Albert Finney or Peter O ` Toole).

On the other hand, both children, virtuosi of the piano are extremely expressive in their roles as well as the rest of the cast. The fine direction, winged script and splendid edition process, make of this film a real treasure to collect.

Don't expect other friends advise you; acquire it, enjoy it and then surprise them with this movie as a gift. They will always reward you, as well as yourself.

Vitus captured our attention and held it throughout. For us, it was a wonderful film experience. I was delighted by the pianists and by the world & family that was portrayed. In a word, refreshing. My husband, the critic of all movie critics, watched it twice more before we had to return it (!). As an intelligent man, it was fun daydreaming fodder to imagine he had his investing and deal-making skills at age 12. For a picky family that buys a movie MAYBE once a year (though we watch many), this was our choice. I'm buying one for my mom, too.

Vitus is a prodigy, not only of the piano, but of math and much else besides. His well intentioned mother essentially smothers Vitus with unintended consequences. A loving grandfather plays a big role in this. (Nope, I'm not going to give much away here since it is very easy to spoil this movie by providing too much detail.)

Suffice it to say that Vitus is a one-of-a-kind child, brilliant and wise (with the help of grandpa) beyond his years.

Unfortunately, in an attempt to make the many sub-plots work, some hokey elements are introduced which took some of the enjoyment out of the movie for me. At a couple of points, I literally had to say "C'mon, give me a break!"

But overall, "Vitus" is a wonderful little movie about love, genius and growing up. Lots of fun.

Jerry

While many movies have wrestled with the subject of the child prodigy, often they succumb to the opportunity to present an amazing youth, hence another child winds up like an amazing trained monkey stunning an audience. Finally, a film has arrived that takes on the deep burden of talent with sensitive,out-of-the-box understanding. While fantastical, this story nonetheless captures the profound burden of genius. What this wonderful child does about his talent, that is to say, how he finally comes to terms with himself, is a deeply moving tale.A real pianist, too.

S Mann

This is a contemporary perspective of genius and all the social adaptations it brings. Courage, creativity, comedy, charm, great intelligence and all of the loving ways of relating within families. It is beautiful, funny, touching, totally inspiring. Bruno Gantz is as wonderful a character actor as he always has been. There are very few movies I watch twice back-to-back but 'Vitus' is one of them. Exceptional!

This movie is absolutely delightful, even if you have to view it with subtitles. I'm fortunate enough to understand Swiss German and appreciate the various Swiss dialects spoken in the movie, which makes the whole experience even more fun. The relationship between Vitus and his grandpa is truly touching, like the scene where grandpa asks Vitus what he would like to become in life and Vitus answers he would like to become 'normal'. But too, the struggle of the parents trying to understand their gifted kid's problems comes across as entirely genuine. And even when you watch this movie the second or third time, you find wonderful delails you may have missed the first time around. Highly recommended even if you have to rely on the subtitles.