Product: La Pianiste (Original French Version)
Rating: 4.0
Fortissimo
I was taken aback by Isabelle Huppert's performance in this film. She plays a pianist instructor named Erika Kohut. Her self mutilation scenes made me cringe. Her mannerisms were so rigid and sharp. I came to wonder how she was able to play music with such finesse. Benot Magimel as Walter Klemmer was excellent. He was just the total opposite of Erika. I'm not quite sure if it is realistic to have that kind of young man be attracted to such a repressive woman. From the start I could not help but feel that the relationship would fail, as it did. Most will be fooled by the cover of the DVD box. The film is not sensual at all. It is incredibly awkward due to Erika's inability to express love and affection. This realization of Erika's unhealthy psychological problems does not doom upon her until Erika goes into a fit of rage. Erika hits her elderly mother as well as attempts to make out with her. Erika is so confused in how to express her feelings. She had been anti-social for a long time. I wasn't surprised about her revealed fetishes. I always thought strict instructors had hidden eccentric oddities about themselves. Poor Walter couldn't hack it. Erika is impious anyway. I cannot believe what Erika did to her poor student. The way in which the opening credits were displayed is creative. Some scenes were rather long, but the music in the background makes for good diversion. "La Pianiste" is certainly emotive. My only regret is that I have not read the book before watching the movie.