Mail-order brides are hard to exchange.

Rating: Null/10 (13 July 2001)

SPOILERS:: Set in New Zealand in the 19th century, Ada (Holly Hunter) is mute since age 6, has a daughter Flora (Anna Paquin) out of wedlock, and is "sold" by her Scottish father to Alisdair (Sam Neill) who is a decent man, a sort of pioneer landowner. In the entire movie, everyone gives away things they don't want.
After Ada's father gave her away, Alisdair gave away her piano to George (Harvey Keitel)because it was too heavy to move through the forest and mud to her new home. Later, George gave it back to Ada, after he became too frustrated with it. And, eventually Alisdair gave Ada and the piano back to George after it became clear that he could never do anything to make his new wife care about him.
Early in the story, George was attracted to this new woman, Ada, and realized that he could get to her through the piano, which she loved to play. That was her voice. Eventually Ada also became attracted to George and professed her love for him. Since she and Alisdair never consumated their marriage, I suppose it wasn't that scandalous. However, Alisdair did not take it well at all. First he boarded Ada and Flora in the house. Later, chopped off Ada's right index finger, before he realized he couldn't force her to love him.
In the end, George and Ada and Flora ended up on a boat, settled in a new area, George made Ada a metal forefinger, Ada began to make sounds again, practicing only alone, hoping to speak again.
Holly Hunter, at age 34, gives a brilliant performance. Anna Paquin, at 10 and in her first film, is also remarkable. Keitel, 53, and Sam Neill also give fine performances. Not a mainstream film, requires thought and patience, but overall one of the better films. Incidentally, Hunter is an accomplished pianist and does all her own playing.