Amazing.

Rating: 10/10 (22 December 2003)

Wow.
Let me start by saying that I despise Schindler's List. I loathe it. Spielberg basically turned the Holocaust into a theme park ride. I must also tell you that I don't like Spielberg.
Now I must inform you that I am slightly biased. I am a Jewish Polanski fanatic. So to see this film is like to see a masterpiece in play. The most interesting and arguably, the best facet of the film is when the Szpilman familly is discussing what is going on, basically a round table discussion. It shows the exact emotions of most Jews, and non-Jewish poles during the Holocaust with textbook accuracy. Especially considering that Polanksi was a Holocaust survivor, this gives perfect perspective of the Warsaw ghetto.
There are also some who say that the fact that Szpilman(sp?) was a pianist had very little to do with the film at all, but in fact, the piano was one of his few motives to survive throughout the whole film.
Please, PLEASE, stop saying that there shouldn't be any more films like this. I think people should stop making Holocaust-related films when everyone believes that it actually happened. I personally know human beings that denied it even happened. Venal.
So here's the math: Great plot + great premise + wonderful director + great sets + Chopin The Pianist = one of the best films ever made. It's a real shame that it lost out to the tragedy of a film that is Chicago for the best picture oscar.

11/10