If you were alive in America in 1993-4 and even a cursory observer of popular 
culture you have heard of 'The Piano'.  This Jane Campion directed film was 
nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, winning four of them, 
including Best Actress for Holly Hunter, and Best Supporting Actress for Anna 
Paquin.

At the opening of the film, Ada (Holly Hunter) is shipped off from England to 
marry Baines (Sam Neill), a stranger, in New Zealand.  The plot centers on a 
weird little love triangle that develops between Ada, Baines and Stewart (Harvey 
Keitel), a business partner and friend of Baines.  Ada is mute, supposedly by 
choice from the age of six.  She has a child, Flora (Anna Paquin) though her 
origins are unclear.  The only way Ada expresses herself is through playing her 
piano, oh, and a notepad and pencil she keeps around her neck.  

The question on my mind while watching this movie (as with all heavily praised 
films) was "Is it as good as everyone says it is?"  In this case, almost but not 
quite.  Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful filmmaking and excellent acting, but 
there are times in which the script or direction falls short.  (Somewhat 
upsetting, since in both these areas it was considered of the best in the field 
for the year it was made.)  One of my biggest problems is with the character of 
Baines and his relationship with Ada.  While he has lines describing himself 
waiting patiently for her love to blossom for him, this notion doesn't come 
across on screen.  He doesn't particularly try to woo her.  It's as if he 
believes cohabitation can be a catalyst for love.  Additionally, Baines' 
frustration with Ada doesn't grow naturally.  In one scene he is content to be 
patient, in the next he is enraged.  This growing frustration is requisite for 
the climax of the film, but falls flat and unbelievable.

'The Piano' is beautifully shot in New Zealand, and takes full advantage of the 
country's natural scenery.  The period costumes are astounding.  However, what 
stands out most (in addition to the acting) is the Michael Nyman theme played 
throughout.  Without it, I don't believe the film would have carried the same 
weight or earned the same prestige.

I don't think the messages 'The Piano' skirts around are sufficiently developed 
either, but that's nothing new for Hollywood.  Messages and morals don't tend to 
cooperate with profit margins.

'The Piano' is worth seeing if only for the overhead sequence on the beach with 
Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel and Anna Paquin.  (I think I read somewhere that 
this sequence was 'borrowed' from a classic film, but I can't track down where, 
or what movie, so maybe I'm thinking of something else.)  It's a beautiful 
movie, telling an emotional story.  Almost brilliant, but not quite.