"Phone Booth" (2002) on a concert stage, "Speed" (1994) on a piano, this is the type of suspense thriller where the antagonist tells the protagonist "Do what I say or die" and so that's just what our hero does. I find that premise implausible; why not just refuse? In this movie, the premise is ultimately justified with an intriguing--if again, implausible--explanation. Meantime, the plot fits the premise, where our hero jumps through the unseen villain's hoops while looking for opportunities to cheat and ultimately a way out.
The technical challenges in making this film must've been significant. It features a lot of symphony music that is probably an original score, so someone had to write it and an orchestra had to play it. Elijah Wood did look like he was playing the piano passionately and furiously, which must require a mix of convincing acting, strategic use of a body double with piano skills, and perhaps CGI for his hands.
Story-wise, our hero shows a lot more tension than the audience feels. The movie seems to have been sponsored by a certain cellphone maker as the characters keep turning to technology with prominent product placement to advance the plot.
A story is made or broken by its ending. This one's beginning makes it look like the whole plot may be about little more than facing (and overcoming?) stage fright, so it's a welcome relief when the antagonist finally shows up. While the movie's climax is rather inevitable, the ending does a nice job of wrapping up the story and is one of the best staged parts of the film.
The technical challenges in making this film must've been significant. It features a lot of symphony music that is probably an original score, so someone had to write it and an orchestra had to play it. Elijah Wood did look like he was playing the piano passionately and furiously, which must require a mix of convincing acting, strategic use of a body double with piano skills, and perhaps CGI for his hands.
Story-wise, our hero shows a lot more tension than the audience feels. The movie seems to have been sponsored by a certain cellphone maker as the characters keep turning to technology with prominent product placement to advance the plot.
A story is made or broken by its ending. This one's beginning makes it look like the whole plot may be about little more than facing (and overcoming?) stage fright, so it's a welcome relief when the antagonist finally shows up. While the movie's climax is rather inevitable, the ending does a nice job of wrapping up the story and is one of the best staged parts of the film.