August 27, 2025
FILM: THE MUSICIANS (LES MUSICIENS)
DIRECTED BY: GREGORY MAGNE
STARRING: VALERIE DONZELLI, CHARLIE BEAUMONT, GEORGE MASSARO
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
In the new French film The Musicians (or Les Musiciens) a rare old Stradivarius cello has been bought by the daughter of a man who wanted to hear it played with three other string instruments (two violins and a viola.) Now that he is gone, the woman, Astrid, attempts to bring them together for a one night only recording session of a piece commissioned by her father. Personalities and lives collide making the lead up to the special night a challenge for all involved.
This is the kind of film that has some interesting characters, beautiful music and settings, but might be a bit too niche for a general audience. A viewer would have to appreciate the importance of such a gathering quartet playing music that isn’t exactly of Top Forty fodder. It’s recognizing the complications of putting together any kind of production that begins to widen its appeal. Who has planned a meeting, a party, or a wedding and not experienced the various travails that make what should be perfect and exquisite something of an unfortunate headache?
The characters themselves are certainly interesting enough. Astrid has a definite goal in mind which she’d love to reach to honor her late father’s wishes. So, she gathers an eclectic mix of 21st Century musicians with a variety of personal needs. Most notably is Apolline Dessartre (played by Emma Ravier) who is a young but big deal performer that has a significant social media presence and physical appeal. George Massaro (played by Mathieu Spinosi) is the good-looking but pompous leader of the quartet who can’t be bothered with Apolline’s star status. Then there is a former couple, Lise and Peter, who were previously in a relationship. The latter is blind making for an original though underdeveloped character trait. Also, brought into the mix, is Charlie Beaumont (Frederic Pierrot) the composer of the piece who has been dissatisfied with what he wrote. All of these figures collide with their series of personal issues, including self-doubts, accidents, and general in-fighting that might curtail this signature performance.
The film itself teeters between the characters and the process of getting the recording produced. Most of its attention tends to focus on the latter though making it’s wider appeal more questionable than if it were to simply emphasize personal conflicts. There’s no question that the music is beautifully written and performed, thus likely satisfying to a more discerning audience. It’s not impossible to assume that others wouldn’t be taken by the characters and their various predicaments but there’s not enough focus on them to make us truly care about them. I’d love to get to know more about Apolline’s star power, for instance. Also, what makes George such a self-assured yet distant character? Charlie Beaumont insists the piece has been gathering dust for many years but what exactly was his relationship to it when he wrote it?
This is not to say the film doesn’t have its merits. There’s something to be said about focusing on the creation of a live performance of previously written music. Of course, we get a moving piece near the end that makes all of the struggles and sweat that came before it worth the effort. When the quartet plays together art is brought to life.
As a piece of entertainment though, this one is a hard sell without more character development and identification. However, to the music-loving and art appreciative audience member, it can also be a very special experience to watch unfold.
The Musicians is currently playing in limited release in cities such as Los Angeles, Denver, and Boise.
FILM: THE MUSICIANS (LES MUSICIENS)
DIRECTED BY: GREGORY MAGNE
STARRING: VALERIE DONZELLI, CHARLIE BEAUMONT, GEORGE MASSARO
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
In the new French film The Musicians (or Les Musiciens) a rare old Stradivarius cello has been bought by the daughter of a man who wanted to hear it played with three other string instruments (two violins and a viola.) Now that he is gone, the woman, Astrid, attempts to bring them together for a one night only recording session of a piece commissioned by her father. Personalities and lives collide making the lead up to the special night a challenge for all involved.
This is the kind of film that has some interesting characters, beautiful music and settings, but might be a bit too niche for a general audience. A viewer would have to appreciate the importance of such a gathering quartet playing music that isn’t exactly of Top Forty fodder. It’s recognizing the complications of putting together any kind of production that begins to widen its appeal. Who has planned a meeting, a party, or a wedding and not experienced the various travails that make what should be perfect and exquisite something of an unfortunate headache?
The characters themselves are certainly interesting enough. Astrid has a definite goal in mind which she’d love to reach to honor her late father’s wishes. So, she gathers an eclectic mix of 21st Century musicians with a variety of personal needs. Most notably is Apolline Dessartre (played by Emma Ravier) who is a young but big deal performer that has a significant social media presence and physical appeal. George Massaro (played by Mathieu Spinosi) is the good-looking but pompous leader of the quartet who can’t be bothered with Apolline’s star status. Then there is a former couple, Lise and Peter, who were previously in a relationship. The latter is blind making for an original though underdeveloped character trait. Also, brought into the mix, is Charlie Beaumont (Frederic Pierrot) the composer of the piece who has been dissatisfied with what he wrote. All of these figures collide with their series of personal issues, including self-doubts, accidents, and general in-fighting that might curtail this signature performance.
The film itself teeters between the characters and the process of getting the recording produced. Most of its attention tends to focus on the latter though making it’s wider appeal more questionable than if it were to simply emphasize personal conflicts. There’s no question that the music is beautifully written and performed, thus likely satisfying to a more discerning audience. It’s not impossible to assume that others wouldn’t be taken by the characters and their various predicaments but there’s not enough focus on them to make us truly care about them. I’d love to get to know more about Apolline’s star power, for instance. Also, what makes George such a self-assured yet distant character? Charlie Beaumont insists the piece has been gathering dust for many years but what exactly was his relationship to it when he wrote it?
This is not to say the film doesn’t have its merits. There’s something to be said about focusing on the creation of a live performance of previously written music. Of course, we get a moving piece near the end that makes all of the struggles and sweat that came before it worth the effort. When the quartet plays together art is brought to life.
As a piece of entertainment though, this one is a hard sell without more character development and identification. However, to the music-loving and art appreciative audience member, it can also be a very special experience to watch unfold.
The Musicians is currently playing in limited release in cities such as Los Angeles, Denver, and Boise.