Vitus

Movie / Show Details

Amazon.com

In Vitus, a boy’s extraordinary talent makes his life unbearable–until he applies his brilliance to the problem of normalcy. Vitus (played at 12 by actual piano prodigy Teo Gheorghiu), a boy obsessed with bats and the piano, reveals high intelligence and musical intuition in his childhood; his mother Helen sets out to both push and protect him, resulting in a life hemmed in and out of the boy’s control. His only solace is his rascally grandfather (Bruno Ganz, Wings of Desire, as wily and charismatic as ever), who lets Vitus explore without restrictions. But when he can stand his mother’s well-intentioned but domineering ways no longer, Vitus takes a drastic step to reclaim his autonomy. A charming fable, Vitus rises above the usual cliches about gifted youth through subtle performances, emotional restraint, and lovely images. Director Fredi M. Murer draws remarkably natural performances from both Gheorghiu and the adorable Fabrizio Borsani, who plays Vitus at age 6, as well as from the young actresses who play the girl Vitus yearns for. There’s no denying that Vitus aims to be heartwarming, and for some viewers that goal is cloying in and of itself. But when the 6 year old Vitus running around wearing the gigantic batwings his grandfather made, it would take a rigid cynic not to be delighted. –Bret Fetzer

Product Description

An inspirational tale about a boy whose musical talent and intelligence hold promise for a brilliant future but impede his dreams of being a normal child – that is, until one dramatic leap of faith helps him take control of his life.