The Legend of 1900 is not about the year 1900, per se, but rather about an extraordinary child born in the year 1900 aboard a luxury cruise liner (think Titanic). Since The Legend of 1900 isn't about 1900 the year, what could it be about, well, this kid born aboard the Virginian is named 1900 (actually it's Danny Boodman T.D. Lemon 1900, but 1900 for short) and this movie is the tale of 1900.

Growing up on the Virginian, 1900 knew nothing much of the outside world, he was born on the Virginian, and lives all of his life on the Virginian, never setting foot on dry land. The Virginian was all he knew, it was his whole life. He had seen hundreds of thousands of people pass him by and he had made hundreds of friends on board. While on board he cultivated his love of the piano, becoming world-renowned for his skills. He is able to play any piece of music just by hearing it and he doesn't even need to look at the keys to play.

The Legend of 1900 is a beautifully told story by Max (Pruitt Taylor Vince), 1900's best friend for years aboard the Virginian. As the movie starts, we see Max entering a music store to sell his prized trumpet (he and 1900 were in the ship's band together) for a little cash for food. While there he asks the shopkeeper for one last song and lo and behold, the shopkeeper recognizes the song and asks where it is from, and thus the tale of 1900 begins. To everyone else it is a tale, but to Max and 1900, it is real.

Following 1900 as he grows up is a delightful experience and on a whole, The Legend of 1900 is a delightful movie. The director, Giuseppe Tornatore, is able to weave together a brilliant story combining comedy, drama, music, and fable. The Legend of 1900 features great acting by Tim Roth, as 1900 himself as he grows up and learns what love is, what loss is, and what true friends are, and Pruitt Taylor Vince as he reminisces back on his great friendship with 1900, unbelievable as it is, Tornatore is able to make it real.

Maybe it's me because I once played the piano, but I have a special place in my heart for any movie that is able to bring this fantastic instrument alive. Shine is one of my favorite movies, and in The Legend of 1900, the duel with Jelly Roll Morton really got me going. This fantastic sequence, when Morton comes aboard after hearing stories of 1900's fantastic ability to play jazz, is most likely the best part of the story. Morton, not to be outdone by some guy who'll never leave the ship, and also to uphold his personal thoughts of being the best jazz player in the world, boards the Virginian for a duel. Back and forth they go in an exquisite clash of probably the two best jazz players at the time. I absolutely loved this part, and maybe this is why the whole movie seemed to blend together into one fantastic story told by Max.

The Legend of 1900 may be just that, a legend. But it may be more. It's a movie about one man's trials and tribulations, finding and losing love, realizing the true meaning of loneliness and pain, as his whole life is played out before us in a beautiful story by a great storyteller. I just wish I could see the original 160 minute cut, rather than the 119 minute U.S. release. In all it's glory, The Legend of 1900 captivates the audience and is able to show to the audience the determination and skill of one man, and it's up to the audience to determine if this is just a fable, or real life.

Genres: Drama, Music
Rated: R
Runtime: 123 minutes
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