The Concert

The Concert

If you like Tchaikovsky you will enjoy the music in the film. Is that enough for you because there isn’t much more. The plot is so implausible. This detracts from the magic of the music.

We quickly learn that the main character, Andrei Filipov, had been a leading conductor at the Bolshoi Theatre. 30 years prior he was removed from his job in the middle of a concert because of his support for Jewish and Roma musicians. Andrei was totally humiliated and began to work as a janitor at the same theatre. He could be seen listening to the practices and you know he is mentally still conducting.

In Paris there is a last minute cancellation at the Theatre du Chatelet and Andrei somehow manipulates to get the job. He also is able to find all the former musicians, get passports and whatever to come to Paris. Can you just imagine?

This was supposed to provide some humor to the story because these musicians were a sorry mess. Most had not played for a long time and weren’t up to the standards of the fine theatre in Paris. It was a sorry sight to see the musicians running ‘amuck’ in Paris.

There is a side plot when we learn that the beautiful violin soloist has a connection to the conductor. It was melodramatic but I did like the fairy tale plot.

There is nothing more to say. You may like the contrived plot and the silly shenanigans it takes for the musicians to be able to perform the concert in Paris.

The Concert is written and directed by Radu Milhaileanu.

I did find it interesting to read that he was born in Romania and was already 5 when he learned he was Jewish. His father had escaped from a labor camp and then changed his name. Radu currently lives in France. His previous films also touch on Jewish issues.

It was such a good idea but it just doesn’t come off.