Review of The Piano (1993) by Eva S — 14 Feb 2009

It's dark, it's romantic, it's exotic, it's period, it's luscious like the jungle rains. Holly Hunter is absolutely wonderful - acting with her eyes and hands, completely believable as a mother but just as child like as her daughter, swept away in her music when she plays her piano.

She is like a pet lion - creeping with perfect silence but ultimately exuding the power and force such a beast is capable of. Fierce, and not in a top model kind of way. The premise is fresh, lovely, darkly romantic and interestingly sexual, the shots are gorgeous, and I can easily picture the movie as an illustrated book as it goes.

I also was surprised and skeptical about Harvey Keitel - because I continue to picture him as the pimp in Taxi Driver - but he is subtle, simple, and very well-cast in the role. Plus I wondered what the big deal was with Anna Paquin - but she is a whizzing firefly in the film.

She is warm, funny, entertaining, but her loyalties waver probably because she resents inheriting the responsibility of being her mother's voice to the world - almost like Holly Hunter forces them to change places at times because she continues to act on her selfish desires and whims without really taking her daughter into consideration (even though its obvious that she cares for her).

Anyway - extremely well written, everyone makes interesting & bold choices. Watch it.