Beautiful

Rating: Null/10 (9 May 2003)

Contrary to many other comments, I found the film simply stunning. Yes, Holly Hunter plays a mute, and yes, this, obviously results in her having no dialogue, but I feel that Michael Nyman, the man who composed the score for the film, effectively becomes her voice via 'The Piano'. The music is beautiful, as is the majority of the acting. The violent and love scenes are made that much more poignant by her inability to speak. As a pianist I am probably somewhat biased, but if you appreciate the piano as an instrument at all you will find a depth in the film like no other. The soundtrack contributes hugely, and I found that the film complements the music, rather than the typical vice versa, but the combination is none the less profoundly moving.