The Piano

I was forced to watch this in a films class in college…. Ended up loving it and have recommended it to people over the years.

This film sensitively portrays both the Māori and the English in the decades following the Waitangi Treaty of 1840, which remains a foundational constitutional document for New Zealand. It's a multi-dimensioned, multi-cultural love story with a powerful ending. Much of the dialogue is in Te Reo Māori [the Māori language], which is a strong point for the film.I'll say no more than "watch it", as I plan to do more than once.

good movie

Love Holly Hunter. Great snapshot of colonial New Zealand era. Actors Holly Hunter, Sam Neill, and Harvey Keitel lead. A British woman along with her young daughter is shipped to New Zealand by her parents as chattel for a British settler.

This is a beautiful, tender love story, though there are some rough scenes, it is overall one of my favorite movies. Great actors, too. Not suitable for children as there are several nude scenes.

This is an uncommon love story with fine acting and well directed. When Ada is reunited with her piano on the beach, neighbor George Baines is spellbound watching her smile sensually as she plays. He senses her passion is linked to the piano and by connecting it to his step by step seduction tries to channel that passion to him. Harvey Keitel is exceptional in his role and should have been nominated as was Hunter and Paquin, as well I was delighted to see full frontal male nudity for once. The sexual scenes focused on displaying great affection rather than lust, even with the crinoline cage. Undeniably, the gentle George desires to please in every tender loving way possible. In my view the sex scene showed what Ada feels for him because of her inability to vocalize it, otherwise would not be necessary. You get a clue of George’s disciplined appeal chided by his Māori friends for not partaking of available native women. Although their marital relations not consummated, Sam Neill’s non-combative reaction as a betrayed husband did puzzle me, or perhaps came to realization was mainly his fault yet not clear. The story also reflects the subjection of women to fathers and spouses’ will. The film did leave me with some unanswered contradictions about Ada’s behavior and her husband’s afterwards. Most times you can fall back on the book it is based on, but not in this case. Nevertheless, it is compellingly and at times, complex but loved the ending.

Amazing soundtrack, amazing sets, costumes and locations, unique story. Loved Anna Paquin as the daughter. Harvey K. as Baines showed a passion both psychological and physical. Sam Neil was exquisitely repulsive as the husband who had no sensitivity to Ada. Supporting cast of Maori and Scottish immigrants was also wonderfully selected and acted.

Watched disappointed with storyline.

good

Cette bande son et la mélancolie du reste.

Very pleased. Arrived promptly. Looking forward to watching, many thanks

ok

Bonita película. Todo un clasico. Llegó bien.