Review of The Pianist (2002) by Jj M — 19 Jun 2011
To cut to the chase, this is a fairly depressing film and is not typically Polanski-style in any way. It is however very close to the man's life story and it was a film he needed to make sometime or other in his lifetime.
Not that native Poland would appreciate their people speaking English, I'm sure they did appreciate the way in which this story was so carefully constructed so as to depict the true and utter horror at the centre of World War II.
And how it is effective. In short, The Pianist is one man's ultimate nightmare...wandering the streets of Nazi-occupied Warsaw during the war as a Jew. I didn't feel it got to me emotionally but rather shocked me to the core given it's brevity of statement and unbiased outlook.
The decimated remains of the city near the end is truly a masterstroke in set production. It's one of many scenes that exudes with silent power. Depressing but a masterful film.
This review of The Pianist (2002) was written by Jj M on 19 Jun 2011.
The Pianist has generally received very positive reviews.
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