This independent film follows Isabel (Isabel Hage), a Juilliard-trained violinist. She still lives at home and navigates her awkward, unglamorous world as a musician in New York City’s freelance classical music scene. She has romantic troubles with bad-boy cellists and the father of a student she’s teaching to play. Other than that, her world is practice, auditioning for a symphony, and working the next gig she has with her best friend Christina (Ling Ling Huang) and the rest of the quartet. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but the film’s subtext of sublime, funny frustration is quite lovely. It’s a little haunting, like some of the music the quartet plays so beautifully.
Isabel not only directed, wrote, and starred in this film, but she also produced it. She wore a lot of hats, and on top of that, she plays that instrument really well. And so are the other people that she cast in the film. Actually, the music is one of the best parts of the movie. There are some really well-known and difficult quartet pieces, and you see them pour their hearts and souls into the performance, only for the camera to pull back and show that nobody’s paying attention to the music as they continue eating or mourning the dearly departed. That is humorous and brilliant all at the same time.
On a String is funny, and its main character Isabel is very gawky and awkward. Think of a modern Annie Hall, if Annie knew how to play the violin. What I like most is that it quietly shows all the BS people who pour their heart and soul into being classical musicians often go through to make a living doing their art.
I give On A String 4 stars. It’s a great film debut for Isabel Hagen. Quiet independent films like this that have a solid storyline and that you can relate to are hard to find. This is definitely the kind of film you want to seek out and enjoy, in whatever streaming format you choose.
Directed by: Isabel Hage
Written by: Isabel Hagen
Rated: R
Selig Rating: 4 Stars
Running Time: 1 hr 18 min
Comedy, Drama, Music
Release: Limited theatrical release and On Demand soon
Starring: Isabel Hagen, Ling Ling Huang, Dylan Baker
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.