The film, The Piano, is a film that tells a story about a young woman’s journey from oppression to freedom. The main character, Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter), is sold off in marriage to marry Alisdair Stewart (Sam Neil) and is thus sent away from her home to New Zealand. She is accompanied by her 9 year old daughter, Flora (Anna Paquin) and her beloved piano.
When Ada arrives on the beach of the New Zealand coast she is dressed in black dress and bonnet standing beside her beloved piano (her daughter on top), Ada provides a stark contrast with the vast backdrop of the crashing sea and grey skies. Ada has not spoken ever since her lover was killed by lightning. She communicates through her piano and sign language, understood by her daughter. The way in which she uses the piano reflects her mood in a very strong and clear manner. Understandably is then enraged when her new husband refuses to take the piano because it is too too heavy.
The piano is rescued by her husband's friend, a neighbouring farmer, George Baines (Harvey Keitel). He uses it as a bargaining tool. He allows Ada to earn her piano back, by giving him lessons, she can have one key back per visit. Baines has no interest in the piano lessons but instead uses the private sessions to maniuplates Ada into performing sexual favours. This soon escalates into an erotic affair. After Flora tells Alistair about the affair's continuence, Ada is brutally disfigured when Alistair chops of her...Im not going to tell you anymore, but there is penty more, emotionally gripping scenes to watch.
The soundtrack, by Michael Nyman is a joy to listen to and really sets the tone for the film.The melody of main theme, "The Heart Asks Pleasure First" is played repeated through out the film 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. It is now available in both VHS and DVD. I would urge anyone to watch the film. It is stirring, charming, sensual and haunting. It was the first film I saw with my partner and it definately was a tear jerker!!
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
Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Ang Lee - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Greg Wise, Hugh Laurie, Robert Hardy
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]")
![The Piano [DVD] [1993]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/90145477.jpg "The Piano [DVD] [1993]")
Jul 27th, 2004
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