I love Niccolò Paganini's work and I was very excited to see this movie based on the life story of the 19th-century Italian violinist and composer. Written and directed by Bernard Rose, it is starring David Garrett as Niccolò Paganini, Jared Harris as Urbani, Joely Richardson as Ethel Langham, Christian McKay as John Watson, Veronica Ferres as Elizabeth Wells, Helmut Berger as Lord Burghersh and Olivia d'Abo as Primrose Blackstone. [img] http://static.cinemagia.ro/img/resize/db/movie/58/25/74/paganini-the-devils-violinist-578808l-175x0-w-29a06985.jpg [/img] The film is trying to chronicle the life of Italian violinist and composer Niccolò Paganini, who rose to fame as a virtuoso in the early 19th Century. It begins with his youth as a childhood violinist pushed by his demanding father through his beginnings in Italy and then to his performances and acclaim in London under the guidance of the mysterious Urbani. But, trying to sail into super-natural waters does not do anything good for the final result. Completely opposite. But, when the screenplay concentrates on the human weaknesses and virtues, there is some joy. Filming took place in Germany, Austria and Italy, and the violinist David Garrett performs many of Paganini's pieces throughout the film himself. His acting was great, and musical talent obvious! Average movie with nothing special in it except the music of the great Maestro, and the talent of the main actor... everything else is average or below average.