The Metaphor of Music

Rating: 9/10 (17 February 2003)

This is a Holocaust film, among other things. In my humble opinion, the movie is about what happens to love, passion and life when oppression is permitted to take control of lives. The one metaphor, and the primary one, that strikes me most deeply is the use of music as a bridge. A bridge in that the Szpilman's hid their money in the father's violin. A bridge in that Wladyslaw met the woman (another musician) who would later help him, despite her marriage to someone else, during a music broadcast over Polish radio. A bridge in that many of those who were in the ghetto with Szpilman, as well as those outside who could help, did so because of his reputation as a musician. A bridge in that the only thing that kept Szpilman from insanity and perhaps death during critical times during his hiding was the music he kept in his head. Perhaps most importantly, and certainly most poignantly, a bridge in that music was the only connection between Szpilman and the German officer who discovered him, and likewise perhaps the German officer's only connection, other than the photograph of his family, to what remained of his humanity. Just the look on his face as Szpilman played spoke volumes in shock, sorrow, apology, sympathy and maybe regret. Finally, music (the arts) as a bridge to an enduring place beyond repression, beyond death, inhumanity, loss and tragedy.