Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.. (Winston Churchill)
Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.. (Winston Churchill)
Member since:07.12.2002
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The Piano, is a film that tells a story about a young woman’s personal and intimate journey from dependence and oppression to independence and freedom. Set in the nineteenth century, it contrasts the strict female repressed reserve of the married Ada with the eroticism of the Ada bargaining and winning free expression.
The film begins as the main character, Scottish Ada McGrath played by Holly Hunter, is transported away from her home to the unknown and distant New Zealand at the start of her journey. A marriage has been arranged for Ada to marry Alisdair Stewart, played by Sam Neill, a lonely Englishman working in the New Zealand bush.
She is accompanied by the two things in her life that are important to her, a piano and her 9 year old illegitimate daughter, Flora played by Anna Paquin. Not just important, but much much more. Ada has not spoken for nine years ever since her lover was killed by lightning. She communicates through her piano and using a unique sign language only understood by her daughter. The piano does not merely reflect her mood but voices her emotions clearly and strongly.
Ada’s loneliness and dependency is emphasised from the outset with the stark visual impact of the petite Ada, dressed in black hopped dress and bonnet standing beside her beloved piano her daughter sat on top, with the vast grey sea and sky behind her as she waits for new husband. When he finally arrives, he refuses to take the piano because it is too too heavy. Ada rages but to no avail. Her voice has been thoughtlessly taken away.
The piano is rescued by a neighbouring farmer, George Baines played by Harvey Keitel. He strikes a bargain with Ada that allows her to earn her piano back. By giving him lessons, she can have one key back per visit. Baines has no interest in piano lessons but instead maniuplates Ada into permitting him sexual favours. This soon escalates into an erotic and sensual affair as Ada’s expression and passion are allowed free reign.
Discovered by Her husband, his jealousy and anger at her betrayal and disobedience, explodes and he brutally chops off her index finger on her right hand.
I will not say anymore as this would spoil the ending. So to find out, what effect this act of cruelty had- you will need to watch the film. The Piano was Jane Campion’s, the director and screenwriter, first big film. Her previous films had been relatively short, Sweetie in 1989 and An Angel At My Table in 1990. For her work, Campion won an academy award for Best Original Screenplay in 1993. For the film, Jane Campion, a native New Zealander, chose experienced American actors.
Holly Hunter created the severe, pale look of a nineteenth century woman. She delivered a stunning performance, and in doing so she expanded her own horizons and won the Oscar. Anna Paquin is totally believable in her role as the daughter devoted and always aware of her mother. For her role, she won the 1993 Academy Award for best supporting actress.
Stuart Dryburgh uses superb cinematography contrasting grey dour tones with warmer colours matching and enhancing the changing emotions. The landscape of New Zealand is striking and dramatic.
The soundtrack written by Michael Nyman is both integral to and compliments the action of the film. Ada plays her piano with passion and meaning. The haunting melody of main theme, "The Heart Asks Pleasure First" is played solo piano while Ada waits on the beach. This is repeated again and again in different contexts. It is accompanied by strings in "The Promise” and "Deep Into The Forest".
The film originally released in the cinema in 1993, is now widely available in both VHS and DVD. I would urge anyone to watch the film. It is stirring, charming and sensual.
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Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Bit of a girlie movie, but hey, given what we have on telly at the moment, I will take anything... bring it on ! Great review though, I can see you enjoyed it... bit slow for me..
t_winkle23 16.09.2004 12:10
I love this film, I thought it was excellent. You've got me in the mood to watch it again. Kim x
FC_Goat 27.08.2004 19:36
Great review. One of my mum's favourite films...I still haven't seen it! I love Harvey Keitel and Anna Paquin though so I'll probably hunt it out. xxx
Ada her nine-year-old daughter and her piano arrive to an arranged marriage in the remote ... more
bush of nineteenth century New Zealand. Of all her belongings her husband refuses to transport the piano and it is left behind on the beach. Unable to bear its ...
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Jane Campion'sThe Pianostruck a deep chord (if you'll excuse the expression) with ... more
audiences in 1993, who were mesmerised by the film's rich, dreamlike imagery. It is the story of a Scottish woman named Ada (Holly Hunter), who has been mute since age 6 ...
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![The Piano [DVD] [1993]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78484177.jpg "The Piano [DVD] [1993]")
Jul 18th, 2004
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![The Piano [DVD] [1993]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/90145477.jpg)
