MovieChat Forums > Le violon rouge (1999) Discussion > Morritz's Motives (spoilers)

Morritz's Motives (spoilers)

posted 17 years ago by tennismenace
9 replies | jump to latest

I agree that Morritz did steal the Red Violin and leave the copy to the guy who bought it for 2.4 million. He'll never know, and probably doesn't care. Just as long as he thinks he has it, and people think he has it; that's what really matters.

But why did Morritz steal it?

Many here say he did it for purely unselfish reasons, to fulfill its destiny. Thus, he's bringing it home for his daughter to play it. This may be all there is, and that may be completely spot-on, but I now believe there may be more to it than just that.

What else?

I think Morritz ABSOLUTELY WAS IN LOVE with this beauty....adored it, cherished it, and ultimately desired it. From the first moment his eyes beheld it, he was smitten. And then when Mr. R. played a short piece on it, you can see him tear up. This was love to the 9th degree. So, were his motives completely altruistic here? I now have my doubts.

But yes, when he asks, "What do you do with perfection?" He knows it could not be placed on someone's mantle to collect dust. No, it had to fulfill its destiny and be played to bring beauty into this world (especially by a child).

So, maybe Morritz did steal it for totally unselfish motives, but maybe with a touch of coveting mixed in. Maybe, just maybe, his ultimate desire SHOULD be in his possession because he truly loves it for the "right" reasons. No one else at that auction had purer motives, no? I don't think so.

Maybe I'm splitting hairs here. Just sharing my 2 cents. Thanks for listening. Awesome movie. 10/10

- The Truth is Out There, and I found it in Christ!

[–] perorewen 17 years ago

I agree with you tennis.

**********
They blew up Congress!!! HAHAHA!

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] tennismenace 17 years ago

Amen!

You said it all.

- The Truth is Out There, and I found it in Christ!

[–] perorewen 17 years ago

Only one thing I'd like to comment upon. People take much consideration in Morritz being a black man. This is the only thing I personally(!) disagree with. To me his color of skin was never important, either way or another. My opinion is not that a black man stole the violin, neither a symbolic way of saving the violin from slavery (as Dato mentioned). In my honest opinion it has nothing to do with anything.

**********
They blew up Congress!!! HAHAHA!

[–] sabar-1 17 years ago

The thing that jumped out at me at the end was the question of whether he was placing the "curse" on his daughter unintentionally.

Rachel

[–] perorewen 17 years ago

Yeah, that was what I though too.

**********
They blew up Congress!!! HAHAHA!

[–] orangeblossommos 16 years ago

The way I saw it (agreeing with some others here), he was rescuing the violin from people who would not treat it well. But also, once he discovered the truth about the varnish that made the violin so special, perhaps he understood what it was that the violin- and Anna's spirit, attached to the violin- wanted. Anna was robbed of her chance to raise & love her child, and so her spirit continued seeking a chance to have a family again. The end, where Morritztells his daughter he's bringing her the violin, is perfect and fitting; I got the impression that the restless spirit would have her wish fulfilled at last, and that Morritz had done the right thing... for the right reason.

[–] GoodSOVeryVeryGood 11 years ago

I totally agree !! By bringing the violin to his daughter, the destiny of the violin is realized - the "rebirth" as prophesied. I think the story is told as if it was the red violin now being played by Elizabeth Pitcairn who received it as a gift for her 16th birthday.

Listen below - sublime ….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K5q89S_ELg

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]