Quite good.

Rating: 6/10 (16 November 2005)

"The Piano" is one of those films that becomes famous for one aspect and not so famous for the other. In the case of this film, it's the music - that beautiful score with that familiar piano tune we've heard on so many compilation CDs, TV programmes, adverts, etc.
So it was interesting to see what the story behind the music was all about. Holly Hunter is quite good, though not wonderful, as Ada, the mute who, along with her daughter, is sent to New Zealand to meet her new husband through arranged marriage.
What got me about this film was that it was all about the piano - obviously. But there were times when I didn't really like Ada as a character - she seemed like a spoilt little child at times, acting worse than her daughter when she didn't get her way about the piano.
Thank goodness for Harvey Keitel and Sam Neil. They, along with the music, saved this film for me, with very good performances that seemed quite out of character, actually. After all, we are more used to Keitel being the rough and tough "Resevoir Dogs" guy, aren't we? So, overall, quite good, but not as good as some will let you think.
6/10