Heartbreaking, real-life account of one man's journey through the brutality of war.

Rating: Null/10 (4 June 2003)

The opening sequence of "The Pianist" shows a pensive young man sitting at his piano, playing a sonata. Soon, bombs burst everywhere, leading to a swift evacuation of war-torn Poland. "The Pianist", written by Ronald Harwood from the memoirs of Polish Jew Wladyslaw Szpilman (1912-2000), is heart-tugging moviemaking at its peak. Adrien Brody is compelling as the beaten but not defeated Szpilman, who amazingly survived the German invaision over a five-year period (but lost his entire family). His struggle to secure food, shelter and elude murderous German officers is often painful and unbearable to watch, but during these troubled times, serves to remind us of the senseless brutality of war. The supporting cast is also incrdible, including Emilia Fox as Dorota, one of Szpilman's admirers who aids him during his peril, and Thomas Kretschmann's small role near the end as Captain Wilm Hosenfeld, the German officer who spared Szpilman's life when he caught the pianist in hiding, is fine as well. Roman Polanski's most personal film to date may also be his best. Three Oscars for Best Actor, Director and Adapted Screenplay. A moving, immensely powerful story. ****