A smut film in disguise

Rating: Null/10 (14 September 2003)

I agree with the other viewers who commented that the film on the surface looks promising, but when you sit down and watch this film, you find that it does not deliver. It has nice cinematography, and you are immediately drawn into the innocent and fragile world as seen through the eyes of the mute character, Ada. Holly Hunter deserved an academy award for this portrayal. But when you try to find substance below the surface of this film, you come up short. I feel like this was a poor excuse for the director to show as much flesh as an R-rating allows, and the sex scenes are as trashy as ones depicted on the soft porn shows put on after midnight on Cinemax.
(MILD SPOILER)
The only real drama in this film happens after Alisdair Stewart cuts off Ada's index finger. But before this, there is no development in the plot. And, after this, there is not that much of a resolution. I miss the days when directors and writers worked together to develop engaging characters through both good writing and close up camera angles. Grant it, Ada didn't speak anything besides the voice overs at the beginning and ending of this film, but the other characters should've been given better lines.
Also, this film should've had more subplots. This is something which would've worked better as a short film, but was stretched a little over two hours. I give "The Piano" one star out of five!