As greatly as the world condones the institution of marriage, we also have a perpetual lust for romanticized adultery and selfish indulgence for love. Our principles become so foggy under the lens of passion, and the wills of the heart and the conscience are so close as to sometimes be indistinguishable. While perhaps less favorable in real life, forbidden passions in escapist entertainment are comparable to our flights of fancy in charming rogues, thieves and heroes of battle, and set in an ethereal and equally romanticized vision of colonial New Zealand, it is an immersing, emotional therapy.
THE PIANO (1993)Directed by Jane Campion
Starring: Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Anna Paquin, Sam Neill
Rated R for moments of extremely graphic sexuality.
Availability: Available to rent from most streaming services and some retailers, included with Netflix streaming and Amazon Prime
Written and directed by Jane Campion, THE PIANO is an erotic, highly sensual story of a mute Scotswoman, Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter). Having not spoken since the age of six, without explicable reasoning to anyone including herself, Ada is sold by her father into a marriage with Alistair Stewart (Sam Neill), a New Zealand frontiersman. Accompanied by her young daughter, Flora (Anna Paquin), who translates her sign language to others, and bringing with her a piano, her most prized earthly possession, Ada arrives on the New Zealand coast. With little interest in people, Ada pours out her feelings through the piano, but when Alistair's laborers carry Ada's luggage inland to her new home, they are forced to leave the piano behind. Although Alastair is a decent man, he is modest and disengaging, and his refusal to bring the piano turns Ada's heart against him. Alastair's friend, George Baines (Harvey Keitel), is a lonely retired sailor who associates with the local Maoris, and after seeing Ada play the piano on the beach, he becomes quite taken with her and the piano. He offers to trade a portion of his land in exchange for the piano, and Alistair agrees, infuriating Ada. However, it is George's intention to have Ada visit him under the guise of "piano lessons", but he proves to only be interested in watching her play. He offers to trade her the piano in exchange for having her play for him, on a basis of one visit per key. As the days go by though, watching Ada play isn't enough, and he begins to desire more from her. When he develops feelings of guilt for the exchange that has begun to resemble prostitution, George decides to cut things off and return the piano, but Ada requites his love. Alistair is not oblivious to the goings on though, and Flora is doubtful of the morality of her mother's passions.
The film won three Academy Awards; Best Actress for Holly Hunter, Best Supporting Actress for Anna Paquin and Best Original Screenplay for Jane Campion. In addition, THE PIANO was nominated in categories for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design. Paquin, at only 11 years old, was one of the youngest winners of an Academy Award in a competitive category ever, second only to 10-year old Tatum O'Neal for PAPER MOON in 1973. Campion was the second ever, and one of four to date, woman to receive a nomination for Best Director.
THE PIANO is a beautiful film, aesthetically and emotionally. The piano musical score by Michael Nyman is beautiful and urgent, interwoven like an elusive onscreen presence. The lush, New Zealand scenery fills out the human drama with an ethereal and cool atmosphere, like an aquarium, and Hunter and Paquin give a charming pair of performances. The sexuality is explicit, but in a sense, tasteful, and beautiful.
It's a film that works as an immersing experience, soothing and comfortable.
No comments:
Post a Comment