Beautiful And Compassionate.

Rating: 7/10 (28 January 2019)

Jane Campion's harrowing romance tale quickly became one of the hottest romance films of the 90s thanks to its four leads at the top of their game. I do find this film overrated, but not enough to say I do not like it at all. I cannot discredit so many great things this movie has to offer.
When people think of gorgeous films, you think of brightness and a lot of colours. 'The Piano' has a very dark look, but is still stunning to see. Only a supremely talented director like Campion could pull off beauty with such a dark palate. David Lean would even have troubles with this. The look is perhaps the best part of the film, my favourite anyway.
Holly Hunter leads the cast as strong-willed Ada McGrath. Hunter plays Ada with fierce determination and a dominating presence. She is mute and has not spoken a word in a few years with it being unclear why. She stopped talking the day her husband got struck and killed by lightning, so it is possible she has a damaged voice box. Her daughter, Flora (Paquin) is also her interpreter through sign language. Other than her daughter, Ada's most cherished thing in the world is her piano. Only Ada knows how much it means to her.
Ada has been sold into a marriage to New Zealand frontiersman Stewart plays by Sam Neill. Since Ada is mute and their neighbours butt their noses into their affair, much of Ada and Stewart's relationship gets lost in translation. He doesn't get how much the piano means to her and sells it to their Maori (he is white but adopted their customs) neighbour, Baines (Keitel) and agrees to piano lessons. Stewart doesn't think a great deal of it since they can get money and Ada can still play, but Ada hates what Stewart has done. Since Baines understands Ada, they have an affair. Their chemistry is steamy.
Her is my problem with the film: Ada is very selfish and not willing to give her marriage a try. Sure she does not know Sam Neill, but he is actually making an effort. He tries to make the marriage work. He is perfectly okay with Baines giving the piano back. Ada rebelling and cheating on him with Keitel made me resent her. I do not blame Neill for flipping out. I get that Ada is a strong-willed and independent woman, but to me people need to do their share of working out problems and meet in the middle. But it is just Neill that tries to be a good husband while Hunter cheats. I never liked this portion. And since so much of the story is revolved around this love triangle, it diminishes the overall quality.
Luckily, the performances are all stunning. Keitel and Neill have done better, but Hunter and Paquin are sheer dynamite. Very worthy of their awards.
See this beauty for yourself
3/4