Sublime Brilliance

Rating: Null/10 (19 February 2004)

I first watched this movie when I was 15 y/o and became deeply attached to it. It was one of my first 'art' movie, though I digress to refer to it as so. It was more than a wonderful artistic movie; it was a masterpiece.
**SLIGHT SPOLIERS**

Whenever I watch a movie I would rather NOT recognise the actors because this attitude leads to expectations. This was one of those movies, and their acting was simply brilliant. So was the cinematography. I still can see the moment when Hunter was left at the shores with the piano, looking very small and alone save for her oblivious daughter. The way Hunter sort of recoiled when Keitel touched her for the first time was as abrupt as the music itself... even I was jolted.
And who could forget the stark contrast between Paquin's innocent costume and the climactic event that transpired between her mother and his stepfather? Against dark background, in pouring rain, she screamed as her mother reeled around in pain. It seemed to me now that she screamed *for* her mother, not at the terror of seeing her hurt.
For those who scorn at this movie, I pity you. You had missed (or rather, ignored) the best 2 hours of your life. This movie is not hard to follow, nor it is plodding. It simply is, just like life.
Someone here said that this movie is not to be watched with rationality in mind. I agree. This is not a rational movie at all. Why would Paquin, who all along had been supportive to the Hunter-Keitel relationship, change her mind while taking the key to Keitel? Why wouldn't Hunter say a word? Why didn't Neill shoot Keitel and Hunter while they were in bed, where they would have been the most vulnerable? Why did Hunter fall in love with someone who obviously uses her for sexual gratification? It's because human nature *is* not rational. See it for yourself in The Piano.