Overview
A gifted boy must choose between his parents' dreams and his own aspirations in this heartfelt drama.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- warm
- sincere
- hopeful
- family movie night
- quiet weekend viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film warm and emotionally appealing, with its child-centered premise and performances offsetting a somewhat conventional treatment.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Vitus is pressured by his parents to become a pianist but seeks to follow his own ambitions.
Vitus finds understanding and support in his grandfather, played by Bruno Ganz.
Vitus’s extraordinary piano ability drives the expectations imposed on him and his struggle for independence.
The plot centers on ambitious parents managing a highly gifted boy’s future instead of accepting his own wishes.
Films like Vitus, and why
August Rush
child prodigy narrative, family pressure, classical music, and heartfelt coming-of-age drama
Billy Elliot
gifted young protagonist, emotionally warm tone, and conflict between parental expectations and personal identity
The Little Princess
intimate European coming-of-age drama centered on childhood, family bonds, and self-determination
Movie Details
- Director
- Fredi M. Murer
- Release Date
- 2006-02-02
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (93)
Cast
- Fabrizio Borsani
- Teo Gheorghiu
- Julika Jenkins
- Urs Jucker
- Bruno Ganz
- Eleni Haupt
- Kristina Lykowa
- Tamara Scarpellini
- Daniel Rohr
- Norbert Schwientek
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 Vitus about?
- A Swiss child piano prodigy challenges his parents’ ambitions to reclaim the freedom to shape his own life.
- What is Vitus like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Vitus as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Vitus violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Vitus.
- What did critics think of Vitus?
- Critics broadly found the film warm and emotionally appealing, with its child-centered premise and performances offsetting a somewhat conventional treatment.
- Which films are like Vitus?
- Films with a similar feel include August Rush, Billy Elliot, and The Little Princess.
- How long is Vitus?
- Vitus runs 120 minutes.
- Where can I watch Vitus?
- In United States, Vitus is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
