Jane Campion (director)
Studiocanal (studio)
Cert 15 (certificate)
120min (length)
19 May 2014 (released)
22 May 2014
One of the most beautiful romantic dramas ever created, boasting superb performances by leads Holly Hunter, Sam Neill, Harvey Keitel and a young Anna Paquin, The Piano captured hearts and imagination upon its initial release and is bound to do so again thanks to this stunning HD blu-ray release.
The story concerns Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter), a mute Scotswoman who is sold into an arranged marriage by her father to New Zealand settler Alisdair Stewart (Sam Neill). Together with her nine-year old daughter Flora (Anna Paquin), Ada sets off to the big journey. When the crew deposit Ada, Flora, some luggage and above all, Ada’s beloved handcrafted piano on a beach in the new country, no one is there to meet them. The next day, however, she is met by her new husband whom she immediately dislikes, not least as he demands the piano is left behind for there is not enough place in his humble home. Amongst the Maori crew that arrives together with Alisdair is retired sailor and fellow forester Baines (Harvey Keitel), a white man who has adopted multiple native customs including Maori tattoos.
The piano ends up in Baines place in the remote bush, and Ada, who can only communicate via means of playing the instrument and sign language, comes to visit him. Baines suggests that Alisdair trades the piano to him for exchange of land. Alisdair, unaware that Baines is attracted to the mute Scotswoman, further agrees to Ada giving Baines piano lessons. Reluctantly at first, the introverted woman gives in to Baines suggestions that she may earn her piano back if she allows him ‘to do certain things’ while she plays, one black key for every lesson. Repression eventually turns into desire, but tragedy is just around the corner when Alisdair finds out about the forbidden romance and chops off Ada’s index finger in a rage…
The stunning New Zealand backdrop with its remote wilderness metaphorically matches the mental isolation Ada finds herself in, while daughter Flora’s vivid imagination is expressed by means of brief and sporadic cartoon interludes. The main players excel in giving believable and engaging performances in this 19th century portrayal of repression and desire, and the film rightly won three Academy Awards.
The film closes with the quote: "There is a silence where hath been no sound. There is a silence where no sound may be in the cold grave under the deep deep sea", while Michael Nyman’s famous score further sets the mood.
EXTRAS:
Interview with Jane Campion and Jan Chapman
Making of Trailer
Audio Commentary