not horrible nor great

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

Too much about the plot just didn't add up, the writing was bad, some of the scenes were cringey and awkward,

There is just so much movie here. For some it may be too much. But in the same secretly sarcastic way most telemarketers say the phrase, the title of this one is particularly apt.

So the suits are sitting around one day and they all agree Technicolor musicals are all the rage. Somebody gets the bright idea -- could we make a musical where the music is provided by classical composers rather than Broadway hacks. ''Who would go to see a picture like that? The kids are into the rock n roll these days, not Rachmoninoff.'' ''No sweat, says the other suit, ''we put Elizabeth Taylor on the marquee and this picture will make money.'' Boom. You got a hit. No story necessary, just like most musicals have no story, but are mostly just a collection of excuses to sing, dance and play music. Not that there's anything wrong with that. So when you put together great music with Liz Taylor's shattering beauty, what kind of grumpkin could complain about plot holes and improbabilities?

I bumped into this film today, read a couple of reviews here and decided to see what the fuss was all about.Yes the music is central here as is the extreme devotion the characters dedicate to it. Obsession and drive/ambition to be the best in the world of the concert hall has and always will be the focus of the soloist.The violinist and pianist are also competing for the love of a woman who has no clue about that ambition and obsession. Taylor does a good job of it, and realizes finally near the end that she can be part of the musical life of one she loves.Love and music both win out at the end.This film also reminds me of "The Competition" with Richard Dreyfuss and Amy Irving. Again competing and winning in love and music prevails in that film as well. I wouldn't be surprised if the producer and director of "The Competition" did an intensive study of "Rhapsody" to put their film together.One other thing, both Gassman and Ericson were excellent in mimicking their performances on their respective instruments. It is not easy accomplishing that, and both Dreyfuss and Irving did as well in "The Competition," which I recommend as a follow-up to this film.

No, it's not an excellent movie overall. But it's good, visually beautiful, fun, romantic, and has outstanding music. All three leads: Elizabeth Taylor, John Ericson, and Vittorio Gassman, give very good performances and are the definition of what today we call "eye candy." Some aspects of the plot are actually realistic. You still see women who look to find their identities primarily through their men and expect a man to "make them happy" rather than be responsible for their OWN happiness. And as someone who was more than once involved with an artistic type, a "performer," I can tell you there is some truth in the characters played by Ericson and Gassman. My point: there is melodrama here, but also grains of realism which give the film some substance. And you have to remember, the movie is set in the early 50s. This works as a period piece, displaying culture, styles, values, and gender roles of that time. The instrument-playing which is acted by Gassman and Ericson is outstanding, and you feel like you have the best seat at wonderful performances of classical music, only you did not have to buy a ticket. I did not know who Michael Rabin, the actual violinist, was until I saw this film. Now I am aware he was possibly the greatest violinist of all time. HIS real life story would make an incredible movie! I don't know why Gassman and Ericson did not catch on and become bigger stars in America. Perhaps because this film was not a big hit? John Ericson was in the successful film "Bad Day at Black Rock," but he did not have a sympathetic part so it did not boost his career as a leading man. Too bad,he'd have been a great leading man for many 50s and 60s films. Gassman fortunately did find leading man roles before and after this film, but mostly in Italian films which I don't have access to. There is an absurd "over the top" scene in a café early on, and obviously the film was not shot on location, but even so, if you like 50s films you will enjoy this one, especially if you like classical music and looking at gorgeous hunks and gorgeous Elizabeth Taylor.

Although other reviewers of this movie may dwell on its doggish qualities, I confess I can't let it slide any time TCM shows it. Taylor, at her absolutely most sumptuously gorgeous loves a violin virtuoso while rehabilitating a pianist who has lost his way due to psychological implosion. The scenes when Taylor patiently encourages the musical rehabilitation are like junk food loaded with cancer causing initials...once you start you can't stop.As an interesting aside, the great Claudio Arrau plays the actual piano part. I have been told that in Mel's Dinner in LA, there is a picture of the maestro, in rakish youth, enjoying the splendors of his Hollywood moment.