In this engaging drama from Switzerland, a child prodigy finds a unique way of dealing with being different. Vitus is no normal child. With a 180 IQ, a voracious appetite for knowledge, and a preternatural gift at playing the piano, he finds it hard to fit in with his peers. Like many parents of exceptional children, his mother and father (Julika Jenkins and Urs Jucker) are overbearing, eager to see their child succeed. But as his parents push and fellow children jeer, Vitus's grandfather (Bruno Ganz, THE DOWNFALL) simply allows the boy to be himself.
Though VITUS follows the blueprint for childhood prodigy movies (such as SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER and the first act of SHINE) a bit too closely at times, it's saved by a great cast and some interesting twists. As the 12-year-old Vitus, Teo Gheorghiu, himself a piano prodigy, heightens the sense of realism in the film. The classic music he plays is beautiful, and the actor's playing itself is remarkable. Audiences used to seeing hand doubles in films about musicians will be presently surprised to see that there aren't any cuts, displaying Gheorghiu's incredible talent. Veteran actor Ganz has literally played everything from an angel to Hitler in his decades-long career, and he's wonderful here as Vitus's warm grandfather and best friend. As a result of great performances like these, it's easy to see why VITUS was the Swiss entry to the Oscars.
Though VITUS follows the blueprint for childhood prodigy movies (such as SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER and the first act of SHINE) a bit too closely at times, it's saved by a great cast and some interesting twists. As the 12-year-old Vitus, Teo Gheorghiu, himself a piano prodigy, heightens the sense of realism in the film. The classic music he plays is beautiful, and the actor's playing itself is remarkable. Audiences used to seeing hand doubles in films about musicians will be presently surprised to see that there aren't any cuts, displaying Gheorghiu's incredible talent. Veteran actor Ganz has literally played everything from an angel to Hitler in his decades-long career, and he's wonderful here as Vitus's warm grandfather and best friend. As a result of great performances like these, it's easy to see why VITUS was the Swiss entry to the Oscars.
Theatrical Release: June 29, 2007
DVD Features:
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - Swiss German
Subtitles - English, French, Spanish
Additional Release Materials:
Audio Commentary - Fredi M. Murer - Director
Behind The Scenes - Making Of
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes - "Teo Gherghiu's Screen Test"
Interviews - Bruno Ganz - Star
Director of Photography
Pio Corradi: Director of Photography, GRIPSHOLM (2000)
Review 1:
"[A] charming coming-of-age drama featuring a protagonist who becomes a modern-day anti-Icarus....VITUS celebrates classical artistic values with rational humaneness."
Source: Box Office
p.65 06/22/2007
Review 2:
"This film about a brilliant boy pianist fighting to shape his destiny was Switzerland's entry for the 2006 Oscars and you can see why."
Source: New York Times
p.E12 06/29/2007
Review 3:
"This fizzy domestic fairy tale from Switzerland gives you a lift, as it revels in the oddball joy of genius as kid power." -- Grade: B+
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.58 07/20/2007
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