The Piano Teacher (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

Dark, disturbing- yet sly, this captivating and fascinating character study ambitiously takes on themes of perfectionism, arrested development, female sexuality, perversion, and the balance between keeping a private life and the need for self expressionism, all with great intelligence and confidence. The cold, repressed and socially awkward piano teacher and her dangerous desire for control, dark fantasies, and demand for her arbitrary perfection from the students and her potential lover is a brilliant metaphor to convey the film's mature themes.The great Isabelle Huppert portrays the title character and is masterful in a role that is challenging for being professionally restrained and emotionally raw. Her performance is unforgettable- completely fearless and absolutely stunning! Though the subject matter is shocking and the content extreme, this is decidedly unromantic and intellectual.The cold Vienna setting, effective use of classical music, and excellent direction and photography give the film an artistic atmosphere and uncompromising edge. I was not a big fan of director Haneke's Funny Games, but I found this film a haunting and provocative surprise. Some films to compare this with: Elle (also with Huppert), the masterpiece Belle de Jour, and especially Last Tango In Paris. This Criterion Blu ray contains commentary on select scenes, and interviews.

A shocking and brazen film that will not be for all tastes. I cannot say that it is a pleasant film to watch but it is certainly riveting for those with discerning tastes. I would venture to bet that most actresses would turn this script down considering the things that she has to do. Isabelle Huppert is brave and daring to do so. She is a mesmerizing actress and there are many long shots with the camera lingering on her face. The Criterion Blu-ray looks fantastic. The extras include interviews with Huppert, director Michael Haneke, selected scenes commentary with Huppert, behind the scenes footage and trailer.

Just when I think I've seen everything I can, Haneke surprises me. This is a powerful film to watch. Isabelle Huppert gives perhaps the greatest onscreen performance that I've ever seen; her ability to telegraph her character's mood shift with only minuscule changes in her expression is an unparalleled talent. A story about unconventional love, loneliness, and consent, it ultimately brings forth a complex question of ethics; I could even see the kink community having a difficult time explaining the moral dilemma in this one. Images of this movie lingered long after it ended. Excellent addition to the Criterion library.

Sad in a sick twisted way. Most depressing? maybe. The story is about an uptight sexually repressed piano teacher who lives with her old mother. Also the students she teaches. She has a gift for music and comes off as very intelligent yet emotionless. One of her younger students falls in love with her, attempts to seduce her and she keeps trying to control him and use him for her warped version of love. I still cant tell if she really loved him or not. It seems the only time she feels anything is when shes inflicting pain on herself or pain on others, even the student who loves her.She makes him do certain things and will deny his affections. Then when he does what she supposedly wanted him to do which was disturbing in itself, she is still just sitting there with no emotion at all. This woman was definitely mentally ill and i tried to understand her character but there wasnt really enough information. I dont want to give away the ending but the whole movie is a downer. I didnt understand what happened at the end or what became of her but i have to say this, this is probably the saddest portrayal of anyone ive ever seen on film. I still cant tell what exactly made her that way. Is she a sociopath? Was she abused at some point? Its a slow moving film but effective.

A difficult yet very rewarding and rich film experience. Isabelle Huppert (as always) is amazing in her approach to Erica in the film. Michael Haneke maintains such a tight hold on our attention and emotions throughout the whole film. This is a multi-layered gem that requires a lot of thought and several viewings. A must for film fans of Huppert and Haneke.

I cannot deny that this was a powerful film. There are scenes in this film that are so strong that they simply cannot be ignored. Most of you have probably read the synopsis already, so I'll just go on with my review. This film is either one of two things. Either it's a sorry excuse to torture the audience, or it is a richly textured character study of a woman who has some deeply rooted problems. I believe it's a bit of both - and I am no prude. I am always up for a challenging film, but there were times during The Piano Teacher where I just wanted to look away. I came close to cutting it off. However, I have set a strict rule for myself, in that the first time I watch a film, I watch it in it's entirety. I finished it, and I am glad that I did. There would have been no point in stopping it prematurely. The performances were excellent all around. Isabelle Huppert is totally and utterly convincing in what had to have been a difficult, exhausting role. Haneke's direction was amazing as well. The end was very powerful, and haunted me for a week.I still can't stop thinking about this film, however I don't think that I could recommend it, either. Watch if you must.

It's Haneke, so put on your helmet and get ready. The Piano Teacher is a skillfully crafted rumination on repression and sexual dominance. I may never watch it again. But I'll also not forget it any time soon.

This film is a perfect example of French cinema at its best. One of France's greatest actresses - Isabelle Huppert - plays the part of Erika, a Viennese piano teacher, late thirties and sexually repressed, she lives an isolated, lonely life in a small apartment with her aged and volatile mother with whom she has a love-hate relationship. She has masochistic tendencies and pays clandestine visits to sex-shops to view hardcore pornography. She is aware of her own talent and skill as a teacher of the classical piano and judges others harshly. When a young male student approaches her she is impressed by his musical capabilities on the piano. He too is drawn to her. With her state of mind aroused and the young student's youthful naivety fully engaged they begin an affair.This is not a film for the faint-hearted or lovers of `Mary Poppins plays piano' type of entertainment! It is at times very dark, and sexually explicit, though the latter amounts to no more that about ten minutes or less in total in a film of over two hours. But what there is, is strong and often violent. I did wonder about the strength of the sexual scenes, until I realised it had to be so, to fully explain the intense state of mind of Erika. The film is, after all, about Erika's mental condition and her relationship with the people in her life.The classical piano music to be heard, although the film is not about this, is nevertheless essential and enjoyable, and most is heard during the early half of the film. My only small (very) criticism is I thought the sub-titling was a little on the large side - others may not agree! It does not in any case hinder the following of the screenplay.There are a good number of reviews of this movie - some of which are very comprehensive, even learned. They are well worth reading. I won't attempt to compete with those. What I will say is `The Piano Teacher' is a disturbing, and above all a very compelling film to watch. The industry awards it collected are no surprise. If you like French cinema films you'll like this one!

I was greatly impressed with The Piano Teacher when I first saw it some years ago. I'm still impressed now. It was my recollection of that first viewing that prompted me to order my own copy. (Safely and promptly received, btw.)

Very stylish & engrossing, quite typical subtitled film for all its existential angst. Very well performed with for my money the perfect French film ending!

In a nut shell, the worst film I have ever seen, don't waste your money.

I was surprised by what i saw, it wasn't what i had expected. I didn't like it, i found it upsetting. You could say i definitely disliked it.