Review of The Piano (1993) by Ryan H — 09 Sep 2011

The Piano has many scenes that surprisingly felt Malick-esque. Not really the rhythm or emotions, but the shots. I guess the one that I think of right away is when Ada is on the boat in the end and her hand is gliding in the water.

It feels like the film is trying to say a lot about sex, but I'm having problems fully grasping it. Could it be like what we are discussing in class over Dionysus and Apollo? That sex needs to have some primal force, while at the same time have a purpose for being there? If that's the case, then it's crazy we are studying this at the same time.

Of course, the film speaks a lot about the importance of silence and how you can find yourself connected to someone else. Ada has never spoken a word to her daughter, Flora, but they are the closest characters in the film.

Everyone says this, but Anna Paquin put on such an amazing performance, especially for an eleven year old girl. It's absolutely painful when she begins to run to Alisdair instead of George. We know the consequences but she doesn't.

What she should have done was burn the key. This little girl is caught in the middle of this thing about love, and what can she possibly understand about it? At first we have full compassion for Ada, but that quickly disappears when we discover she's a prude.

Of course she should be weary of her new husband, and she needs her piano, but she treats the natives like filth. It's hard to care about anyone at that point. That's what gets confusing for me.

The depiction of the natives being savages must have more meaning. I wouldn't say this if they were just showing culture, but they do so much more. For example, she leaves her piano alone and they come by and start slamming on the keys.

The old native woman talks to George about sex, makes fun of him for not having sex for a long time and wondering where his wife is. This discussion and their actions have to tie in with the theme of the film.

That's what I would say I didn't like about the film was that it either doesn't make itself clear, or I'm thinking too much about it and the meanings easily get mixed up. Fantastic performances all around, strong character writing, and good pace make The Piano an interesting film.