entertaining but predictable

Rating: 8/10 (26 January 2003)

*WARNING CONTAINS SPOILERS*
Being a music major I was very eager to see this film. My verdict: The Pianist is a film well worth seeing that you will enjoy, however it has its share of flaws and should not be considered Oscar material except maybe Adrien Brody for Best Actor.
The film's main problem is its predictability and attachment to a 'formula'. Way too much borrowing from "Schindler's List" and nowhere near that film's dramatic "best picture" impact. I really prefer B&W for WW2 movies. If you were expecting various forms of Jew bashing you got it. If you were expecting Mr. Szpilman (the hero) to be miraculously spared the awful fate of his fellow jews "on the train to labour camps, gas chamber etc.", you got it. In fact he is the only member of his family spared, and Polanski (director) creates an awful loose end by never mentioning, not even at the end of the film, what happened to his family. How Szpilman manages to survive can only be described as a completely implausible miracle (but if that's what you like, great) Overall you may also find the film's pace a tad slow, especially the part where is shuffled from apartment to apartment by friends (almost 1/2 hour of screen time if I recall correctly) Did they really need to bring in the doctor at that one point? (we could tell he was suffering so that scene should have been cut on the cutting room floor). But perhaps the greatest insult to the viewer is the German officer near the end who instead of blowing his brains out takes pity on Szpilman and says "Ja, play me somethink on de piano". (yes, he just happens to take refuge where there is a beautiful grand piano for him to play) And so a little Chopin from Mr. Szpilman's bruised fingers (i.e. hand double for Mr. Brody) saves the day and at War's end he is back playing the piano for Polish National Radio or whatever it's called. Too bad that nice officer got killed later on anyway. Far too predictable for my taste. I could have guessed that sort of ending from the very beginning. And no love story either except for a little flirtation with a girl who marries someone else as we discover later. If you love Chopin and the Beethoven "Moonlight" (what else were you expecting) remember to thank Chopin and Beethoven, not Polanski and his crew, as the music 'saves' the film from being very average. Just remember this film is no Schindler's List so don't set your expectations too high. Notwithstanding the film's flaws, I felt that Adrien Brody did quite a convincing job despite the formulaic plot in a difficult role portraying Mr. Szpilman and therefore ought to be nominated for "Best Actor" at the upcoming Oscars. (unlikely to win even if nominated) Otherwise no other nominations deserved. My rating 7.5/10. See it in the theatres if you must otherwise this will make a decent rental.