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The Piano , 1993
English, British Sign Language, Maori
Australia, New Zealand, France
Plot
This controversially erotic film from New Zealand established screenwriter-director Jane Campion as a universally recognized talent. Holly Hunter stars as Ada, a mute 19th-century woman sent to New Zealand in an arranged marriage with a patriarchal landowner (Sam Neill). She brings along her daughter, Flora (Anna Paquin), and tries to also bring her beloved piano, much to the consternation of her new husband, who abandons the piano on a beach. Artistically and emotionally frustrated, Ada finds herself experiencing an erotic awakening when Baines (Harvey Keitel), an illiterate settler covered with Maori tattoos, rescues her piano, buys it from her husband, then strikes a strange bargain with Ada that gradually leads to her sexual awakening--and to an explosive confrontation.
Jaw-droppingly beautfiul with its purple and green palette of untamed New Zealand scenery, THE PIANO is both a ravishing love story and a psychosexual fairy tale on a par with WUTHERING HEIGHTS and JANE EYRE. Featuring a haunting piano score by Michael Nyman and brilliant performances, THE PIANO is a masterpiece, considered one of the best films of the 1990s.
Details
| Language: | English, British Sign Language, Maori |
| Country: | Australia, New Zealand, France |
| Release date: | 12 November 1993 |
| Runtime: | 121 min |
| Awards: | Cannes,Academy Awards |
Awards
Cast and Crew
as Ada McGrath
Photos
Clips

Critics Reviews
Variety
The Piano confirms Campion as a major talent, an uncompromising filmmaker with a very personal and specific vision.
- |
- by: David Stratton
Entertainment Weekly
By the end, Campion views all her characters with a compassion bordering on grace, a humanity-like her heroine's-as dark, quiet, and enveloping as the ocean.
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- by: Owen Gleiberman
Users Reviews
This period drama is quite heavy, serious and gloomy, but it's also gripping. Curiously enough it's really sweeping even though the pace is slow. The acting is wonderful and overall I highly recommend it, as long as you're not looking for something...
- 12.August.2008
- |
- by: may.graff
- may.graff rated this movie
9/10Amazing
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