Protraph Lack of good storyline.

Mjeteconer Just perfect...

Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Cody One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

proud_luddite In the mid-nineteenth century, in a community in a New Zealand forest, a mute pianist from Scotland (Holly Hunter) and her young daughter (Anna Paquin) live with a settler (Sam Neill) as per an arranged marriage. A nearby neighbour (Harvey Keitel) has his sights on the pianist.Director Jane Campion (also the screenwriter) has created a movie experience that is sensual from beginning to end. She gets to the heart of nature in every scene even making the viewer experience rare feelings. The opening scene of an arrival at a beach is beautiful and provocative; the sight of the giant waves is stunning but also a dangerous and uncontrollable part of nature that acts as a preview of what's to happen with the characters of the story. The sex scenes are also very unique in that they express a passion and warmth that is rare in films of its era as well as those that have followed; particularly in moments where a facial expression shows genuine pleasure from the sense of being touched.Campion gets great work from her actors. Keitel and Neill show a sensuous side that might only be encouraged by a director with a feminine perspective. Paquin gives one of the best child performances in cinema. And Hunter's performance is truly amazing. Her facial and body language say so much. In a shocking, climactic scene, her quiet breakdown rips the heart out. Her character is someone who might seem demanding and annoying at first but it is clear later on that Ada is one of those souls who seems more attuned to the spirit world than to the mundane details of the physical world.The story may have flaws (as others have pointed out) but it is how it is expressed that makes it stand out. Here, Campion is greatly aided by cinematorgrapher Stuart Dryburgh and the music by Michael Nyman. A treasure for the senses.OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: Directing by Jane Campion

jfkahan I've never seen a more pretentious piece of rubbish. All symbolism, no substance. It may be the most overrated movie in the history of film.

aquauver We have to watch this movie with a earphone.The music sounding through the movie,a great musician made,is amazing.How to play music,and how she move fingers is also good.It looks like a beautiful bird fly.I can see it forever,along with music.The concept of this music is maybe to release from a burden or freedom from the wall confronting us unconsciously.

cnycitylady The Piano is considered a most romantic movie. And in a way it is, but not really in the classic use of the word "romantic."The characters are far from two dimensional, with ups and downs, highs and lows; both good and bad. No one is just one thing and it is a very fresh, raw take on humanity. The script colors their characters beautifully, and the story has many different aspects. But the one that stands out most, as it should, is Holly Hunter's journey from saddened, numbed woman to vibrant lover of life.The men that desire her are scoundrels and undeserving of her, and yet both are good men in their own ways. Patient, kind, understanding. It's interesting to see how and why both of these men want this woman who has abandoned all hope of ever loving anyone other than her daughter ever again. Hunter's character is an enigma. She can love fiercely on one end of the spectrum but she cannot hate. She also doesn't realize that she has a say in her life until she falls for one of the men who desire her. This movie is odd to say the least. Each time you view it you will think differently of all of the characters. You will never be quite sure who the villain is or who the hero is. But you can be sure that it is a gripping original take on love and starting over. 7.8/10