Vitus is a charming movie, full of love, and I highly recommend it, if you have not seen it already. It is a slice of life I’d like to return to more than once. Beautifully filmed and acted.
In 2007 it won the best Swiss Film Prize (Fredi M. Murer who directed and co-wrote the script) as well as the Undine Award for Best Debut, Male for Teo Gheorghiu. It was the 2006 entry for Best Foreign Film for the Academy Awards.
When I see a foreign film like this, it makes me wish I’d kept up with German, though this is in Swiss German. At one point they ask Vitus to speak high German. I could pick up a few words and phrases here and there. The DVD I watched had English subtitles. It would be interesting to see if it also had German or French. After seeing it with English, I could freshen up on the other languages I have some smattering of knowledge in.
There are a few spoken words in English. Vitus’ mother is English, so the actress had to be able to speak both English and German.
The DVD extras
Some of the missing scenes are as charming as the movie. Additionally, the interview with Bruno Ganz is excellent. The film about the movie includes some interesting interviews with the director/writer. He had the script for a number of years. One of the first things he needed to do was cast the young man to play Vitus, then find a look alike to play him at a younger age. Fredi said he thought it was a story he wrote, but the young man he cast has essentially the same story in RL.
The Story
Vitus von Holzen is an exceptional child. He takes to the piano as if he were Mozart. To make matters worse, he is a genius with an I.Q. of at least 180. This gets him into trouble at school, where the other kids tease him, and where teachers are jealous, instead of protecting and nurturing his gifts. The latter makes me both sad and angry. Teachers should foster a child like this, not give them more to handle.
His mother contributes to his unhappiness. She wishes to protect him, but in fact, does him harm by pushing him. Her self image is tied up with having an exceptional son, though to do her justice, her love is not tied to this. I suspect it would be difficult to parent a child like this. His father is an inventor, rarely at home, but when he is, he gently teaches his son.
And then Vitus rebels.
Considering that nothing he ever wanted was allowed him, from his first piano teacher to his babysitter, it’s no wonder he has to continue to rebel. I found the scene where he locks his mother out of the house for a day (and later his father, that night) delightful. If he would go to such lengths then, why did they not begin to listen to him. You don’t win by being self-willed with a child like this. They can be more willful than you are.
The saving grace
His grandfather, played by Bruno Ganz, is his ally in life. He provides a place of refuge, literally and figuratively. It was a joy to watch Ganz.
What to do
He wants to be normal. He pretends he is no longer gifted in either life or the piano, but after a period of time, his grandfather becomes aware and is sworn to secrecy.
But there is need for money
His grandfather only has enough money to last for about 5 years, and the company his father works for is tanking. And instead of the CEO position going to his father, it goes to the owner’s son.
Vitus convinces his grandfather to let him invest all the grandfather’s money.
The piano playing
The piano playing is all done by Teo himself. He is tremendously gifted and in RL has won awards and played with symphonies. This is his first film. He says he’d rather play the piano. In one of the extras his piano teacher says that Teo had already practiced for 2 hours, by the time he got there, then practiced 3 hours more. I don’t doubt it. Teo’s mother is interviewed at one point, and if you can believe her, she let him decide about the film.
The ends tied up nicely
There are twists and surprises in the story, with a satisfying ending. Vitus comes into his own, in more ways than one. The relationships in the movie are loving, despite the errors made.
The casting
The casting is excellent.
Julika Jenkins and Urs Jucker are superb as Vitus’ mother and father. Kristina Lykowa and Tamara Scarpellini who play Isabel, the babysitter, at different ages are terrific. Fabrizio Borsani plays Vitus at age 6 to perfection. And the movie could not have been made without Teo Gheorghiu who plays Vitus at age 12.
Is it possible to have a normal life and be this talented?
Have you seen this?
Throw your hat into the ring for this one
If you have the least interest in foreign films, don’t miss this one.
Karin
www.savvythinker.com
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