People are voting emotionally.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

I waited a month for my copy and as it was not a USA region, watched on a large laptop. I am sure I did not get the full impact of the big screen and can imagine the full glory of the production. This movie title is not to be missed. It's the first of it's kind and a tribute to musical style long lost and resurrected as surely only David can provide. From my perspective as a learned musician he is the only modern living choice to play the part. While at times the movie may seem dark and perhaps entirely to brief considering the Paginini lived to be in his 50's, I think it's the correct snap shot. If you have an inclination to go back in time and witness musical history, this movie is for you.

*Possible Spoiler Alert!!*I happened by this film on accident while going through lists of movies. I'd heard Niccolo Paganini's compositions in the past and figured I'd give the film a try. MAGNIFICENT! The actors in this portrayed their parts with such passion and delicacy. The music is heavenly.. Takes your soul on a journey. If you're a fan of classical music, dramatic movies, and immense feels, then this is definitely a film you should watch. I do believe I'll watch it again soon. The tricky Devil was a character who will play with your mind over and over. Betrayal and heartbreak was woven into this film as well, as you see with many dramas. Absolutely perfect. Must find it on DVD.

Please, if you are one of those that won't watch a movie simply because it has bad reviews, DON'T watch this. This movie had dimension and a great backstory that most people seemed not to notice. Well, the synopsis covered everything, all the roles were well played except for the lead role himself, Niccolo, but that is passable since he did not have a lot of lines.I got mashed up at a point during the movie when the reporter got jealous, then I got the plan. The mastermind behind this entire movie is Urbani!!!! That is what should have been standing out to those viewers who just look at the superficial and physical. If anything, try looking at Urbani as the devil in this movie. He freaking asked for Niccolo's soul to be signed to him for the afterlife at the beginning of the movie. That alone got me hooked to see if Niccolo could get his soul back, maybe through the pure love Charlotte had for him. He was foolish though, and Urbani made sure he died not at a ripe and old age by encouraging him in acts of drugs and sex and using it as an avenue to spike his 'medication'. That was ANOTHER critical minor detail that should get all the viewer's attention.Other characters in this movie did well, Urbani brought everything together with all the snide comments he made at all Niccolo's outbursts. Another big clue!!! All i have to say is if you end up watching the movie, keep a close attention on all Urbani's words, lines, actions, behaviour, etc, and the movie will make more sense.At the end of the movie, it was written in German that Paganini's body was not allowed to be buried in 'consecrated ground', now if that doesn't tell you what happened to Paganin's soul, I don't know what will.I liked the movie, but its not something that's worth multiple views.

This is what misery of a lost soul and a deeper loss of the heart would sound like. We are given a feast for our ears, set in a very clean Victorian era world. The Devil went down to someplace, and dug up our Paganini, a Mozart type in a similar world just a few decades on or so. This movie is no Amadeus, there is no expansive epic story that digs deeply into the souls of any of the characters in this movie, in fact things are all very straight forward, and there is only one little mystery left up to you, and even that is not too easy to believe. I Enjoyed the music, and the settings of this movie, however small, and closed in all of the sets were. There is some really nice moments of tension that is built up during the more intense Violin playing, and I recommend this movie for those, the characters are all acted fantastically, by a wonderfully diverse, and experienced cast. However that does not save the story which is really predictable, and mostly hollow. If you like musicals, you will enjoy this, and there is a nice look to everything so I have to give the production team a solid nod for making the most of what they had.