The Red Violin Page #2

These monks can't cook.

They also write you've got

a weak heart. Is that so?

You must have a strong heart

to play violin.

Believe me. And stronger

still to live in Vienna.

You shall see.

Vienna is an infuriating city.

Infuriating, but magnificent.

Magnificent...

this city!

Antoinette!

May I present to you...

Kaspar Weiss.

One of the most gifted

children on Earth.

But Georges, we can't...

My wife, Antoinette Poussin.

Good afternoon, Kaspar.

How nice to meet you.

Go on in. I'll show you

your room in a minute.

Georges, please!

We can't afford to keep him!

We can't afford not to.

There's something about

your playing that eludes me.

I've decided to analyze it,

logically, with a scientific method.

First, your bowing...

and your left hand phrasing.

Your dtach, ornamentation

and your taste.

And theory!

Theory, too, is important.

You need a lot more than inspiration

to play the violin.

You need method.

You must think...

...and work!

- Won't you eat?

- You must eat!

- Do you want something else?

Try this cheese. I think you'll

like it. It's French.

- Try some.

- Taste it.

You'll see, a little different

from the monk's crumbly cheese!

Go on.

Kaspar, if you play well,

you'll enjoy the finest fare.

We can't afford coal,

let alone food!

Sell your jewelry! Sell your David! He

voted to behead the king, the monster!

My boy...

play well, and there will be cheese.

Violin... cheese.

- May I go to my room now?

- Go ahead. And sleep well.

Madame Poussin will assist

you in your prayers.

Why speak French?

He doesn't understand.

So he'll learn!

I want them to know who taught him.

Good morning, Poussin.

I pride myself on visiting the Taufer

Orphanage three times a year...

to offer my services as a teacher,

as a gesture of support...

for those good men of the cloth.

This year, they called early.

I was skeptical, but...

when this child raised his bow...

when he played his first note,

well, Baron von Spielmann...

I knew my prayers

had been answered.

You've unearthed another

"Wunderkind".

I've got no money for you, Poussin.

I have no concerts to offer you.

- It isn't for the money.

- I suggest you find another patron.

- Must I beg?

- Isn't that what you're doing?

Yes.

I am.

In three weeks...

I'm holding a private audition

at my salon.

Prince Mannsfeld is leaving

for Prussia...

and seeks a prodigy

to accompany him.

He must hear this boy.

Three weeks. Can you be ready?

Truthfully!

- I could be ready tomorrow.

- Be very certain, Poussin.

- If you embarrass me again...

- I've charmed the crowned heads...

Where are those heads now? Rolling

in the gutters of the new Republic!

No, no, no!

The first phrase, the entire section,

must be played staccato.

A modern style, well and good,

but let's not be crude.

- You liked it, didn't you?

- Yes.

I'm delighted.

You're going to play it again.

You're going to play it

again and again and again.

See this? It's a clockwork

chronometer, of my invention.

It's called the Poussin-meter.

You will heed it with

the same deference you would me.

What you just played

corresponds to a tempo like this.

Each day, as we progress...

we shall push down

this little ball notch.

Until finally, in three weeks,

you'll be playing like this.

The world will be yours!

You see, Antoinette, there's something

I still don't understand.

His violin has a wonderful sound,

and a lovely form.

- Of course, it's Italian.

- Is it very valuable?

- Why do you ask?

- Well, it could pay the rent, if ever...

He will play divinely, my dear.

- Can't you trust me?

- Of course I can.

But must he sleep with it?

He could roll over on it.

What?

He sleeps with it?

Straight, proud.

Lift your chin. There.

Perfect, your bow. You're clutching.

Your body's stiff, your elbow locked.

I knew something

was holding you back.

Something, but I didn't know what.

Now it's totally clear.

You're oppressed by your violin.

It has you completely enslaved.

Look at you.

There, very good.

If you want to advance,

Kaspar Weiss, you must let go.

What do you mean, Sir?

I don't understand.

Antoinette tells me

you sleep with your violin.

Tonight you'll sleep by yourself.

Without the violin.

Without your violin!

Doctor!

Thank you for coming so quickly.

Thank you so much, Doctor.

Good night.

- Feeling better?

- Yes, thank you.

The doctor says your heart

must have stopped for a minute.

I'm sorry.

It's all right, but we don't

want it to happen again.

Were you worried?

Were you nervous about the audition?

It will be just fine.

You know that, don't you?

- Georges!

- I know, I know.

Kaspar, we want to tell you...

you don't have to do it

if you don't want to.

- You don't have to play.

- I don't?

We can cancel the audition.

We'll manage, somehow.

It's better than making you sick, see?

You don't have to be famous.

No? Yes... Oui.

Sorry... malade.

I want to be famous.

Sir, I really do.

That's my boy!

I'm very proud of you.

I want you to rest, relax.

Madame Poussin will bring

a visitor you like very much.

Merci, Madame.

One, two, three, four!

One, two, three, four! Good!

Good!

One, two, three, four!

One, two, three, four! Go on!

There you go.

Amen.

We better sleep now.

Tomorrow's going to be a busy day.

Perfect. And now, backwards.

Are you ready?

Rejected! The shame!

Kaspar Weiss.

Kaspar Weiss, violin!

Play the best you can, Kaspar.

Play your best.

Master Poussin

and his protg, Kaspar Weiss.

Closer. Come closer.

So you're the wild child

I've heard all about.

An orphan raised by monks.

If you prefer,

we can call in the next.

- There's the son of...

- No, no.

How charming to think a monastery

has actually produced something...

something worthwhile.

That's a lovely instrument you have.

May I see it?

May I see it, my boy?

Please.

Is it for sale?

I'd give you a good price for it.

- He's very attached to his instrument.

- So I see.

- Perhaps after he's played...

- Of course, let him play.

I might take him too.

Come, play for me.

Won't you play something for me?

Please.

Poussin!

Just play for him, son.

Play.

Monsieur Poussin?

On behalf of the brothers

I thank you...

for the generosity

you showed Kaspar.

He takes with him

the many gifts you gave him.

I did what I could.

Would you honor us

by sharing our modest supper?

It's very kind of you, but...

my wife awaits me,

all of Vienna awaits me.

Of course, we understand.

- I do have one question.

- Yes?

- The violin.

- Yes?

What will become of it?

I'm sorry, I thought you knew.

Naturally you were

foremost in our thoughts.

After all the time and energy

you invested...

it would be wrong

to give it to another child.

- Yes, of course.

- So we buried it with the boy.

He can play it in heaven.

Yes, quite right.

And...

and then I see a time of life...

a time of lust and energy...

loosed across mountains

and oceans, and time.

Confusing, Madame, I know.

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