Monday, August 09, 2010

The Piano (DVD)

The Piano (1993) starring Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill, Anna Paquin. Written and directed by Jane Campion. In the late 19th century, a Scottish woman named Ada (Hunter) and her illegitimate daughter (Paquin) are sent to remote New Zealand in an arranged marriage with a farmer (Neill). With her, Ada brings her most precious possession, a piano which she plays with virtuoso skill. But her new husband knows little of women, and trades her piano to a neighbor (Keitel) for 80 acres of land. Ada strikes a secret bargain with the neighbor to earn her piano back and slowly, but ever so slowly, he seduces her. (This movie is memorable for the nude scenes by Keitel.) The bargain proves to have unexpected consequences, culminating in a heinous crime committed against Ada by her husband. Not to worry; the ending is satisfactory. Hunter and Paquin both won Oscars for their performances. The subtitles consist of closed captions, which are adequate. Grade: B+

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