Under The Piano (DVD)

== UNDER THE PIANO==

=== 1996 ===

=== DVD 2003 ===


*******************************************

=== INTRODUCTION ===

After discussing ‘Rain Man’ with a friend, they recommended that I watch this film – ‘Under the Piano’. I had never heard of the film, but it turns out that it is a Canadian film that was released in 1996, and is based on the true story of the astonishing ...
...first impression you get from Under the Piano. After all, both deal with someone's relationship with their autistic sibling. But, where ‘Rain Man’ was about someone who had just discovered his brother and was learning to be human, ‘Under the Piano’ shows how strong a bond can be when one person refuses to accept anything but the best.

=== STORY ===

Franny (Amanda Plummer) and Rosetta (Megan Follows) are the two youngest ... more

UNDER THE PIANO

1996

DVD 2003

*******************************************

INTRODUCTION

After discussing ‘Rain Man’ with a friend, they recommended that I watch this film – ‘Under the Piano’. I had never heard of the film, but it turns out that it is a Canadian film that was released in 1996, and is based on the true story of the astonishing bond between two sisters - Dolly and Henrietta Giardini, who lived in Canada during the1940’s/50’s.
Henrietta was autistic, their mother was a frustrated opera singer who was over protective to her daughter even when she was older. But Dolly, even though she had a paralysed arm, supported and encouraged her sister.

Is this another ‘Rain Man’? You may ask. That may be the first impression you get from Under the Piano. After all, both deal with someone's relationship with their autistic sibling. But, where ‘Rain Man’ was about someone who had just discovered his brother and was learning to be human, ‘Under the Piano’ shows how strong a bond can be when one person refuses to accept anything but the best.

STORY

Franny (Amanda Plummer) and Rosetta (Megan Follows) are the two youngest daughters of an opera star, Regina Basillo (Teresa Stratas) and her husband.
Unfortunately Rosetta is autistic. Although she has great talent for music, she can't connect with people in the usual way. Her parents over protect her. Her father is warm and caring, but her mother is slowly stifling Rosetta. Always a bit resentful that she gave up her career for children, she refuses to believe there is a real human being inside of Rosetta.

Luckily, Rosetta has Franny. Born with a disabled arm, she also understands what it's like to be imperfect. She doesn't accept that Rosetta can never amount to anything. Against her mother's wishes she gets her a job at a restaurant of a local hospital.

Franny falls in love and gets married. When their father dies, this leaves Rosetta at the mercy of her mother. Bitter and angry at what she sees as the betrayal of her children (for moving away to make their own lives) she tells Rosetta it would be better if they both die. Unfortunately, Rosetta takes this literally and attempts suicide. Now, it's up to Franny to fight for her sister's life, as well as her happiness.

How does this affect Franny’s life?
What becomes of Rosetta?

WHAT I THOUGHT

I really enjoyed the film, the lovely music and the fantastic characters made this film work so well It is also very sad at times – I’d rate it a two-tissue film!!

The film is shown in flashbacks.
It starts with Rosetta's suicide attempt and goes back in time to explain just how the event came about. I found that straight away I began to care for the characters, as I was caught up in the immediate drama of their lives.

Megan Follows as Rosetta was incredible (equally on par as Hoffman’s portrayal of Raymond in Rain Man) Her character’s dialogue is mostly mimicking other people with an occasional burst of original thought. She flies into a rage if her routine is broken. She also uses music to express herself. When she's nervous or afraid, playing the piano gives her comfort. It's a difficult character, and Megan plays it well, complete with mannerisms and lack of intonation. After a short time, you forget her autism and see her true character

Amanda Plummer plays Franny Basillo – a smart, strong-willed and stubborn, Franny also has a sense of humour, she doesn't pamper her sister but treats her as an equal. Her character was very likeable and you could empathise with her.

Teresa Stratas as Regina Basillo plays the part of the distant, but domineering mother well. She also manages to inject a note of sympathy. She tries to be caring towards Rosetta midway in the film, but her indifference has already caused damage. Rosetta now seeks comfort from Franny rather than her mother. You can tell that Regina wants to love her daughter, but is stopped by what she feels is Rosetta's inability to love.
I went from feeling sorry for this character, to disliking her and to feeling sorry for her again.
I honestly thought that ‘Under the Piano’ rivals Rain Man in its touching display of family dynamics and living and coping with a disability.
It was well directed by Stefan Scaini.

DVD

· Language English
· Region: All Regions
· Number of discs: 1
· Classification: 15
· Studio: Sullivan Entertainment Europe Ltd
· DVD Release Date: 2 Jun 2003
· Run Time: 91 minutes

Very few extras on the DVD , there is just a behind the scene featurette and a film trailer.

 

...less