"Schindler's List" receives worthy competition!

Rating: 10/10 (2 February 2007)

Being made by somebody who had to suffer the Holocaust, you probably understand that The Pianist will try to tell a different story to Schindler's List and focus a bit more on the horrors that were committed in Nazi Europe. And it serves both purposes well - did I say well? I meant... brilliantly. Whereas Schindler's List's settings were very authentic yet always very organised, The Pianist's settings are more run-down and actually look like they've been through something terrible. The acting is top-notch - Adrien Brody delivers the feelings and emotions of a Polish Jew in WWII separated from everything and everyone he loves in all aspects. And the harrowing heights of this film do reach Schindler's List's heights - perhaps even exceeding that when Polish Jews lay down on their faces and were shot in the head.. The piano tunes were beautiful and Adrien Brody really did make a good on-screen musician - even if his fake playing wasn't exactly brilliant in quality. The ending was emotional and nearly brought a tear to my eye (MAJOR SPOILERS COMING UP!) - I can't imagine how it would have felt if Szpilman had been killed after surviving and going through so much. But that is the true unfairness and unpredictability of war, and though The Pianist isn't quite as famous as Schindler's List, it sure is as good. I would have given this film a well-deserved 10 if the fake piano playing had been done a bit better. But it's so emotionally brilliant and harrowing in parts, I think I'll give it the 10 anyway. Spiffing. 10/10