The Legend Of 1900 (1999) **

Directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. With Tim Roth, Melanie Thierry and Bill Nunn. Bizarre tale of a brilliant pianist (Roth), born and raised on a luxurious ocean liner, who's afraid to set foot on dry land. This visually amazing, often flamboyant film has channeled its entire creative energy into sets, costumes, cinematography and lightening, while blissfully ignoring such mundane matters as pacing, character developpment and dialogue. It's quite original, all right, but in a very frustrating and pretentious way. Either an allegory about staying in a mother's womb, or just an artsier version of "Titanic". Clearly influenced by Emir Kusturica, it's Giuseppe Tornatore's first English-language (e)pic.