Fine Movie, Excellent Soundtrack!

Rating: 5/10 (27 September 2000)

This is indeed a nice movie, not Jane Campion's best, but a good movie. I think the movie is a nice love story, doesn't deserve the title of 'Best Movie I've Ever Seen', neither the title of 'Worst Movie Ever Made'. It's maybe the biggest incursion of Jane Campion in the mainstream of the movies scene. But a big thing doesn't always means a good thing. For instance, 'Portrait of a Lady' was, for many, best than 'The Piano' but it wasn't mentioned as much as this one (at least not in Portugal...). Holly Hunter makes a good job with her role, but the best thing of her acting is the fact that she is actually playing the piano, and she really has the feeling. Sam Neill also acts very well, maybe better than Holly, but that may just be of his character, that has more feelings (no matter what feelings they are). Anna Paquin has the role of her life, at least because she has an intensive dramatic character, and she can show that on screen (it's not easy, with 9 years old). Harvey Keitel, he's a fabulous actor, needless to say that he has many better roles than this one (Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs...many more). And finally, Michael Nyman. This is probably one of the best composers of his time, and maybe of all times. The musical score of this movie is a work of ART. It really is 'The Mood That Passes Through You'. I can hear this album over and over, without getting bored of it. It leaves you in a state of mind that I can't describe, it's amazing. I really recommend everyone that likes piano music to buy this cd, and to everyone that has this cd, buy other things from Michael Nyman, it's fabulous. 5/10 for the musical score.