Movie Review - 4

Director: Tim Slade

Cast: Shoji, Niki Vasilakis, Cho-Liang Lin, Pekka Kuusisto

4 is a joint Australian/American production which, through the thoughts, views, and most importantly music of four extremely talented violinists, explores the varying extremes of our planet’s seasons. This visually stunning documentary is centred on the classic violin concertos of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, which act as bases for the four musician’s insights into Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. The name of this piece of music may not be familiar to you, but when you hear it you will instantly recognise it.

We enter Tokyo at springtime and are guided through the city’s unique spectacle of blooming cherry blossoms as the locals revel in the festival-like atmosphere. Next we journey to sun-baked Northern Australia and take in the scorching summer and monsoon season in the Torres Strait area. Autumn brings us to New York, and the fast-paced urban lifestyle is presented through the changing colours of this season. Finally we end in the snow-covered fields of Finland and experience the freezing temperatures of this harsh but beautiful region.

We are guided through each season by one of the four violinists, who each lead a brief performance of their chosen season of Vivaldi’s score. The talent that they possess is incredible; they are masters of their instrument. With their dramatic performances combining with the strikingly rich visuals of the regions, the film really is a treat for the senses. Cameras beautifully capture the true essence of the seasons which go hand-in-hand with the musician’s individual takes on what that time of the year means to them in their environment. Their insights guide us through the landscape and how it has shaped the people who live there. It is both interesting, and entertaining- and is miles from being in any way commercial.

This film showcases four unique areas of the world along with four exceedingly gifted people who are all bound by the same love: their world and the music in it.