melissa review- GREAT movie

Rating: Null/10 (29 March 2003)

The Pianist, starring Academy Award winning best actor Adrien Brody, was one of the best films I have ever seen. Directed by Roman Polanski, was based on the true story of Wladyslaw Szpilman, a World War II-era Polish pianist who lived in the Warsaw ghettos during Nazi rule.
There were so many great aspects of this film. I can honestly say that I think that Adrien Brody deserved his Best Actor Award. His character changed looks, actions, and emotions throughout the whole film, yet he was still believable. I literally felt sick when Spzilman was sick, and felt anguish when he did. There was almost an hour of the film that Spzilman does not say anything, this did not bother me at all. His acting was done through his body language, facial expressions, and his eyes. Usually a film that focuses on one main character gets boring or tiresome. Not true with this movie- I sat through the over-2 hour long movie without once having to look at my watch.
The movie was also beautifully done. The colors of the movie match the mood of the characters. After Spzilman is in hiding for a while and both depressed and starving, the colors of the film become mainly shades of greys, with few bright colors. The scenes showing the destroyed towns were absolutely amazing, both beautiful and melancholy at the same time.
The soundtrack of the film was another great aspect. I play piano, which may have helped spark my interest in the soundtrack, but Spzilman's playing never seemed boring or drawn-out to me. Instead, the beautiful playing that inspired him to survive helped make the movie the masterpiece that it is.