The Piano

THE PIANO 1993

The piano is a New Zealand film of drama, romance and emotion.

It is a so-called abstract film that communicate with audiences implicitly and indirectly. It was set during the mid- 19^th century, about a mute pianist (Scotswoman, Ada) and her daughter.  Ada’s father sells her into a marriage to a New Zealand frontiersman, Alisdair. Ada hasn’t spoken a word since she was six, therefore her expression and emotion was expressed through her piano playing and through sign language. Alisdair refused to transport the piano due to its weight and space. So, George who is a tattooed illiterate neighbor bought the piano.  To get the piano back, Ada agreed to give George piano lessons. During the piano lessons, George was attractive, fascinated and affected by Ada’s strong personality and passion of music. And so, their relationship was evolved emotionally and sexually.

The film heavily focused on the attraction, passion, and emotional reaction of female’s view. Each character carried differently and distinctively; especially Ada was described artistically feminist, such as: introverted, determined, independent, passion, talented, silent, and extra-ordinarily powerful.  Additionally, the score was performed by Michael Nyman whom is also my favorite for years; “The heart asks pleasure first” with an obsessive melody was the most unforgettable song to me. Interestingly, I feel like the theme and the song become Ada’s character, mood, expressions and body language.

The relationship between Ada and George was conveyed and negotiated sexually but gradually. The nicest thing is that illiterate George was evolved by Ada’s musical melody; which makes me think of the scenario of the deaf is in love with the music of the mute. And, also, George didn’t force her into anything that she doesn’t want. Ultimately, Alisdair found out the secret relationship between George and he was so angry and didn’t want to let her go even he didn’t really love her (Man’s egoism). So, he cut Ada’s index finger with an axe to deprive her of the ability to play piano.

One point that I didn’t get that when Ada’s husband found out their relationship; why Alisdair just stared and watched Ada having sex with George; did it show that Alisdair was the man who lack of sensitivity and ability to understand other’s needs? If so, then I think it is really brilliant how the movie was made in contrast between Alisdair and George. 

Ada was respectfully treated. By George and insensitively ignored by Alisdair .

Finally, Regardlessly, the cinematography was stunning (Ada playing piano by the sea, the forest, the mellow atmosphere that related to Ada’s feelings_ and the beautiful music was played throughout the movie.