Amazon.com Essentials:
Jane Campion's The Piano struck a deep chord (if you'll
excuse the expression) with audiences in 1993, who were mesmerized by
the film's rich, dreamlike imagery. It is the story of a Scottish
woman named Ada (Holly Hunter), who has been mute since age 6 because
she simply chose not to speak. Ada travels with her daughter Flora
(Anna Paquin) and her beloved piano to a remote spot on the coast of
New Zealand for an arranged marriage to a farmer (Sam Neill). She
gives piano lessons to a gruff neighbor (Harvey Keitel) who has Maori
tattoos on his face, and, well, things develop from there. The
picture takes on a powerful dream logic that simply defies
synopsis. It's a breathtakingly beautiful and original achievement
from Campion, a unique stylist. The Piano won the Palme d'Or
at the Cannes Film Festival and Oscars for Hunt, Paquin, and Campion's
screenplay. --Jim Emerson
Amazon.com Essentials:
Jane Campion's The Piano struck a deep chord (if you'll
excuse the expression) with audiences in 1993, who were mesmerized by
the film's rich, dreamlike imagery. It is the story of a Scottish
woman named Ada (Holly Hunter), who has been mute since age 6 because
she simply chose not to speak. Ada travels with her daughter Flora
(Anna Paquin) and her beloved piano to a remote spot on the coast of
New Zealand for an arranged marriage to a farmer (Sam Neill). She
gives piano lessons to a gruff neighbor (Harvey Keitel) who has Maori
tattoos on his face, and, well, things develop from there. The
picture takes on a powerful dream logic that simply defies
synopsis. It's a breathtakingly beautiful and original achievement
from Campion, a unique stylist. The Piano won the Palme d'Or
at the Cannes Film Festival and Oscars for Hunt, Paquin, and Campion's
screenplay. --Jim Emerson
