The Concert

Just by chance The Concert happened to be the third French film I saw in a row and though Heartbreaker is the meat in the sandwich, there’s enough in The Concert to be enjoyed as a slice on its own. Although this has been officially released as a French film, it’s collaboration between a few European countries, with France and Russia being the main players. This is hardly surprising though as the storyline concerns the Bolshoi ballet playing at a concert in Paris. Or at least, that’s what Andreï Filipov (Aleksei Guskov) would have the French believe. Filipov, a former conductor, is a cleaner at the Bolshoi Theatre, who fixes it so that his former orchestra plays in the Bolshoi’s place instead. Obviously you have to suspend disbelief somewhat for that premise, but director Radu Mihaileanu has a trick up his sleeve as he interweaves that story with Filipov’s relationship with expert violinist Anne-Marie Jacquet (Melanie Laurent). It’s a subtle blend of broad comedy and drama. I say broad comedy, as this film has some very dodgy national stereotyping. Even if it is a Franco-Russian alliance taking the mickey out of their own, it still feels a bit 1970’s sitcom at times. This film is all about the ending though when Filipov’s relationship with Jacquet is explained (albeit, somewhat unclearly) and Filipov’s orchestra perform. Though I can’t recall now how long they play for, the performance of the Violin Concerto in D major, Op 35 by Tchaikovsky is lengthy and utterly enthralling, giving the film one of the best feel good endings I can recall in a long time. If you’re not punching the air at the end you’ll at least be walking into the evening with a spring in step and a smile on your face.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
A bit slow at times, but its simple charm will eventually win you over before its mesmerising finish. Rating: 7/10