The Legend of 1900 [1998 film]

When the biggest scene in the film is a piano duel between the title character, 1900, and Jelly Roll Morton, you know you are watching a strange film. From beginning to end it is driven by Enrico Morricone's incredible score and by beautiful cinematography and settings. Roth is compelling as the enigmatic 1900, and Pruitt Taylor Vince is likable as the trumpet-playing narrator. There are other good scenes, but the overall effect--not surprising from the director of Cinema Paradiso--is bittersweet at best. It doesn't do to break down some of the plot for pure logic, especially near the end. Think for a moment--perhaps the first part of the trumpet player's narration is basically true, but at the end--could it all be in his mind?