Beautifully produced drama fails to hit home

Rating: 6/10 (7 December 2007)

Critically acclaimed across the nation, "The Piano" attempts to tell the tale of the tragic Ada, who, unable to speak after an horrific accident, is married off by her father to a New Zealander whom she has never met. And so she must travel to this far away, foreign land with her daughter in order to meet her new husband and start over.
Holly Hunter is very impressive as Ada McGrath, the mute Scot who is so very much out of her element in rugged, muddy New Zealand. As Stewart, her new partner, Sam Neill impresses as well, while Harvey Keitel (in an unaccustomed role) delivers a wonderfully weighted, show stealing performance. Special mention too must go to Ana Paquin as Ada's little girl Flora.
Writer-director Jane Campion's film is visually splendid too (cinematography by Stuart Dryburgh), and features some truly marvelous music from the pen of Michael Nyman. Sadly though the film has a weak link which really lets the whole production down. The script comes off very distant and aloof, as we are stunned by most of the events that shape the film, rather than moved as perhaps we should be. Campion's characters are so well portrayed, yet we find ourselves detached from them, unable to relate in any way to their feelings. Too much is left unexplained both about Ada, and the other important elements of "The Piano". Even the comedy seems remote, and although it is quite funny, it is a little too mistimed to come off effectively. Beautifully produced drama, but too far off to really hit home.
Saturday, December 4, 1993 - Cinema Nova