One of the best holocaust films made

Rating: 9/10 (21 July 2014)

The Pianist stars Adrien Brody as the titular character Wladyslaw Szpilman, a famous pianist living in Warsaw, Poland, during the second world war. While it has standard holocaust fare about the Jews being mistreated, you can't help but feel anger and sorrow at the sights of children being shot and piled up in the streets. The story revolves around how Wladyslaw tried to survive in the war torn city by hiding behind cupboards, living in the ruins of bombed houses or in apartments in which he was not allowed to make a single noise for fear of giving himself away.
Roman Polanski is in another world in this film. He himself was a victim of the German Nazi mistreatment and harassment as he lived during the war and he makes us feel as if we are too. He deserved the Academy Award which he received for this film. Only he could convey all the intense feelings of fear and depression of the Jews. The scenes were stark and violent at times and at others would bring a smile to your face. There is a marvelous scene in which Wladyslaw is in an apartment secretly and cannot make a single sound as the Germans will then hear him. He sees a piano in the same room and sits down to play it. We see his shoulders and head moving to music and hands moving as if he was playing and we even hear the music in the air. As we start to think that they will surely hear and start to fear, the camera shows that his hands are merely moving above the piano keys and we realize with relief and regret that he is not in reality making any sound, as the music is all in his head.
Adrien Brody is simply superb in this true story, playing a man who spends most of his screen time being quiet and not making a sound. His body language and facial expressions convey enough emotions to carry the entire film. He rightfully deserved the Academy Award, which he won at the age of 29 making him the youngest actor till date to win the award. He touches your heart and stays there. His role is definitely one i wouldn't be able to forget for a long time.
While the film is about the atrocities on the Jews, and for most of the part shows the inhumane and degrading conditions in which the Nazis make the Jews live in, the film doesn't make one want to run home and turn on Inglorious Basterds while throwing darts at a dartboard with a Hitler portrait on it. This effect was deliberate as it shows that not all who serve under the devil are demons. Roman Polanksi must be lauded for this open minded view considering that he himself was treated deplorably by the Nazis.
The story is simple yet will capture you and is one of the most classic true stories and the cinematography is memorable. Its the score that really stands out, especially the parts of the piano. The music is haunting and expertly performed. The acting of the rest of the cast, while it doesn't really stand out, is acceptable. The film is high on emotions and if you haven't seen any holocaust film before then is the right place to start. Watch it for one of the most legendary roles in the form of the pianist and for the unforgettable piece of world war 2 history.