Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- melancholic
- solemn
- wistful
- quiet evening
- historical drama night
What critics said
Critics found the film’s Holocaust-era mystery, musical subject, and strong performances intriguing, but broadly agreed that its many elements never fully coalesce into a satisfying drama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Martin’s search for the vanished violin prodigy Dovidl links musical memory to the aftermath of wartime loss.
The violin, Dovidl’s prodigious musicianship, and the song of names function as vessels for Jewish memory and continuity.
The characters’ adult relationships and the search for Dovidl are defined by the consequences of the Shoah and wartime separation.
Martin’s present-day investigation recalls his childhood friendship with Dovidl and the disappearance before the first concert.
Films like The Song of Names, and why
The Pianist
historical drama centered on music, memory, and the lasting emotional consequences of the Holocaust
The Music of Silence
intergenerational friendship, Jewish identity, and music shaped by wartime trauma
The White Crow
melancholic European historical drama about artistic vocation, disappearance, and unresolved personal bonds
Movie Details
- Director
- François Girard
- Release Date
- 2019-12-25
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (176)
Cast
- Tim Roth
- Clive Owen
- Catherine McCormack
- Suzy Eddie Izzard
- Saul Rubinek
- Jonah Hauer-King
- Gerran Howell
- Luke Doyle
- Misha Handley
- Stanley Townsend
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Song of Names about?
- A haunting musical mystery follows a man across Europe as he searches for the childhood violin prodigy whose disappearance fractured their lives.
- What is The Song of Names like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Song of Names as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Song of Names violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Song of Names as mild.
- What did critics think of The Song of Names?
- Critics found the film’s Holocaust-era mystery, musical subject, and strong performances intriguing, but broadly agreed that its many elements never fully coalesce into a satisfying drama.
- Which films are like The Song of Names?
- Films with a similar feel include The Pianist, The Music of Silence, and The White Crow.
- How long is The Song of Names?
- The Song of Names runs 114 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Song of Names?
- In United States, The Song of Names is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
