The piano is her voice

Rating: Null/10 (28 February 2004)

Ada (Holly Hunter) is a single mute woman with a young daughter (Anna Paquin) who is to be sent from her homeland Scotland to the far away New Zealand to marry a man she has never met in her entire life. When she has arrived with her daughter and her precious piano, they are left on the shore. Later on, her newly-wed husband, Alistair Stewart (Sam Neill) sells her piano to a neighbour, George Baines (Harvey Keitel) in order to make a deal about his land. This shatters Ada's heart completely.
Baines begins to try making arrangements with Ada- getting her piano back by giving him piano lessons. Ada reluctantly agrees. However, soon she finds out that Baines wants more than this. Their relationship turns into something inexplicable and all parties involved end up in destructive, turbulent consequences.

The piano is Ada's voice and her inner passion. She is a victim of a loveless marriage, lust, burning and boiling longing and jealousy. The film explores one woman's desire and sexuality in an achingly romantic way. The colour of the movie is sombre, which fits the story perfectly. For Ada, true love is found in the most unexpected, unconventional situation. The plot is filled with passion and seeking fulfillment. Brilliant directing by Jane Campion and powerful performances by Holly Hunter and Anna Paquin. This is a must see.