A re-imagined account of the early life of Maria Anna 'Nannerl' Mozart, five years older than Wolfgang and a musical prodigy in her own right.
An expertly forged alt.history with a refreshingly tough female lead. Good tunes, too.
It’s handsome looking but stilted and pointless.
Provokes some fascinating questions about history's also-rans and the evolution of feminism, plus Marie Feret delivers a charming performance in the title role.
A varnished, interesting production.
It's a decently intended film with intelligence, but sadly it never quite comes to life.
[The] best scene of the film has brother and sister improvising a tune, then leaping out of bed in giggles to compose at the harpsichord. The rest is rather one-paced, but it has charm.
It's plodding stuff, made worse by the stilted performances of the two female leads, both of whom happen to be the director's daughters.
It's a well-designed, tasteful affair.
It’s a great premise, and the Mozarts are rather more nuanced than Tom Hulce’s hyperactive irritant, but the treatment is so understated that it underwhelms.
Apart from the underlying theme of sacrifice which is never fully explored, Féret chooses instead to lose himself in the costumes, wigs, décor and music. This doesn’t in any way make this film an unpleasant proposition, just one where an opportunity has been missed.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Friday April 20, 2012, until Sunday April 22, 2012. More info: www.filmhousecinema.com
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