Haunting and mysterious

Rating: 8/10 (13 October 2008)

Technically this was not my first viewing of Jane Campion's "The Piano". I have been haunted by images of this film since I was 7 years old (yes, you may ask, what was a kid that young doing watching this film? Answer: I wanted to watch absolutely everything my 17 year old sister watched). Of course, I didn't understand the complexities of the character's relationships, and I couldn't understand why Ada would be attracted to a tattooed, craggy man (Harvey Keitel). At that age it's all about bland Prince Charming! But the beautiful cinematography, and the muddy "punishment scene" stayed with me. As an adult, I view it as peculiar, but very good, film. It is quite striking how little exposition there is in this film. We never find out exactly why Ada turned mute at the age of 6. Campion never forces the issue, so we accept it as a state of being, something beyond the character's control, just as Ada and George's attraction is. I see it as a mood piece that probes female self-expression in the 19th century, but it's a film that really can't be summed up or pigeonhold. It is quite unique. Holly Hunter won the Academy Award for her Ada, her piercing gaze and ability to express a range of emotion without dialogue is very memorable. Keitel and Sam Neill are also very good, but the performance of a then 10-year old Anna Paquin stands out most. She was terrific.