The Piano (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'The Piano', a gothic drama written/directed by Jane Campion, opens in the 1850's, and introduces us to Ada (Holly Hunter), who's been is banished from Scotland & arrives on the cold, grey, stormy shores of New Zealand, a mute bride sold by her own father to a wealthy British emigrant named Stewart (Sam Neill). Along with Ada comes a large quantity of luggage, her spunky 8 yr. old illegitimate daughter, Flora (Anna Paquin) ... and her beloved piano. Initially, Stewart deems the piano too difficult to transport (from the beach), despite Ada's desperate, wordless pleadings. So, instead, he decides to sell it to fellow Englishman, George Baines (Harvey Keitel), a lowly plantation worker who has embraced the local, native, Maori way of life.
Ada suffers much pain, torment, & loss without her piano; practically inconsolable. But she is soon asked by George Baines to teach him how to play; and that she may 'earn' back her piano with time. However ... she is physically & emotionally unprepared for the conditions he asks for and the price she must pay - both then - & down the road. Ada despises New Zealand, her husband, & particularly George. But her unorthodox relationship with George slowly transforms from hate to something resembling love - but at what cost? Dire situations transpire.
'The Piano' is a quality film - no doubt. The story is fascinating, the acting is exceptional, & the filmmaking is hauntingly good. The movie contains powerful emotional themes; all dealing with repressed passion. George Baines, living as a Maori, has thrown the stuffy British values aside - so his passions are a tad more unbridled. He can express himself; however strange he does. On the other hand, Stewart views the Maoris as hostiles. He doesn't allow himself to 'feel' anything. That is, 'til one memorable, violent outburst towards the end. Many people would argue that George Baines is NOT good for her. And yet, because she has no voice, it is only through George that she's ever able to break-free of her inbred English social pressures to stand up for herself & persevere.
There is also symbolism permeating the script. Ada's piano acts as her voice; the only way to express herself. And the Maori society represents 'inhibition'. Stewart is a misplaced Englishman. So he rejects inhibition; freedom, so to speak. And George accepts freedom of expression. And Ada, through George, learns how to feel & express (with & without her piano), though, in the 1800's, the perils of female self-expression are potentially tragic.
'The Piano' is a DARK film (thematically & literally). And that fact that it's so quiet makes the darkness feel darker, yet. Dark, uneasy, slow, quiet - all lending to an unforgettable tone. And it's funny, though the tone of the film IS quiet, & muted (like Ada), there is a WEALTH of emotion & feeling lying underneath the surface of every face we see & every decision that is made. The emotions run deep, even if we can't see them at first. In fact, they rear their heads suddenly & viscerally (unbelievable sex scenes, terrifying violence scenes). Look out for a gruesome scene involving Stewart & Ada that will shock you into a state.
Campion's directing & screenplay are great. But it's the acting & the bleakly beautiful visuals which reeled me in. Without amazing acting, this film may have fallen flat on its face because it's so stark & quiet. Holly Hunter is incredible; conveying seemingly endless amounts of emotion & energy into the repressed role of a woman with no speech. And I'll never forget one of her final scenes (taking place on a small boat). I don't think I breathed for a good minute (due to the tension). This performance is deserving of an Academy Award. Harvey Keitel & Sam Neill provide stellar supporting work; though Neill's role is underwritten. And Anna Paquin is exceptional as Ada's young, but piercingly intelligent, intuitive, yet troublesome daughter.
I acknowledge the film's greatness, yet hold off on an A rating is because I found 'The Piano' to be a difficult, harrowing sit -- gut-wrenching. I felt sick to my stomach on more than one occasion. Another reason I'm not wholly enamored is because some of the characterizations aren't as fleshed-out as they could be; given the story & personalities involved. And finally, the film moves slowly. Is it immersive? Yes. But plenty of stretches had me wondering if some tighter editing was necessary. All that said, I praise the film for showing the ways people can communicate (words, music, sex, violence). I praise the craftsmanship (sound, music). The images we see tell the story as much as words do. And the brilliant, nuanced acting sells it.
Ada suffers much pain, torment, & loss without her piano; practically inconsolable. But she is soon asked by George Baines to teach him how to play; and that she may 'earn' back her piano with time. However ... she is physically & emotionally unprepared for the conditions he asks for and the price she must pay - both then - & down the road. Ada despises New Zealand, her husband, & particularly George. But her unorthodox relationship with George slowly transforms from hate to something resembling love - but at what cost? Dire situations transpire.
'The Piano' is a quality film - no doubt. The story is fascinating, the acting is exceptional, & the filmmaking is hauntingly good. The movie contains powerful emotional themes; all dealing with repressed passion. George Baines, living as a Maori, has thrown the stuffy British values aside - so his passions are a tad more unbridled. He can express himself; however strange he does. On the other hand, Stewart views the Maoris as hostiles. He doesn't allow himself to 'feel' anything. That is, 'til one memorable, violent outburst towards the end. Many people would argue that George Baines is NOT good for her. And yet, because she has no voice, it is only through George that she's ever able to break-free of her inbred English social pressures to stand up for herself & persevere.
There is also symbolism permeating the script. Ada's piano acts as her voice; the only way to express herself. And the Maori society represents 'inhibition'. Stewart is a misplaced Englishman. So he rejects inhibition; freedom, so to speak. And George accepts freedom of expression. And Ada, through George, learns how to feel & express (with & without her piano), though, in the 1800's, the perils of female self-expression are potentially tragic.
'The Piano' is a DARK film (thematically & literally). And that fact that it's so quiet makes the darkness feel darker, yet. Dark, uneasy, slow, quiet - all lending to an unforgettable tone. And it's funny, though the tone of the film IS quiet, & muted (like Ada), there is a WEALTH of emotion & feeling lying underneath the surface of every face we see & every decision that is made. The emotions run deep, even if we can't see them at first. In fact, they rear their heads suddenly & viscerally (unbelievable sex scenes, terrifying violence scenes). Look out for a gruesome scene involving Stewart & Ada that will shock you into a state.
Campion's directing & screenplay are great. But it's the acting & the bleakly beautiful visuals which reeled me in. Without amazing acting, this film may have fallen flat on its face because it's so stark & quiet. Holly Hunter is incredible; conveying seemingly endless amounts of emotion & energy into the repressed role of a woman with no speech. And I'll never forget one of her final scenes (taking place on a small boat). I don't think I breathed for a good minute (due to the tension). This performance is deserving of an Academy Award. Harvey Keitel & Sam Neill provide stellar supporting work; though Neill's role is underwritten. And Anna Paquin is exceptional as Ada's young, but piercingly intelligent, intuitive, yet troublesome daughter.
I acknowledge the film's greatness, yet hold off on an A rating is because I found 'The Piano' to be a difficult, harrowing sit -- gut-wrenching. I felt sick to my stomach on more than one occasion. Another reason I'm not wholly enamored is because some of the characterizations aren't as fleshed-out as they could be; given the story & personalities involved. And finally, the film moves slowly. Is it immersive? Yes. But plenty of stretches had me wondering if some tighter editing was necessary. All that said, I praise the film for showing the ways people can communicate (words, music, sex, violence). I praise the craftsmanship (sound, music). The images we see tell the story as much as words do. And the brilliant, nuanced acting sells it.