THE PIANO

The story and setting of The Piano might be harsh and unforgiving but this movie will fill your heart and enrich your soul.

For some inexplicable and inexcusable reason I had never seen The Piano before. But now that I have - on the big screen luckily - I can only echo what many have said before: Jane Campion's picture is a marvel.

From its unique story and setting to the evocative mood and the superlative performances The Piano grabs your attention from the first image and never lets it go. Campion's Oscar-winning screenplay sweeps you along with its dramatic heft, mesmerizing characters and profound thematic resonance.

As a director she coaxes career-best performances out of the entire cast, but none more than Holly Hunter and a very young Anna Paquin. The former gives a masterclass in nuance, while the latter's fierce charm is nothing short of a miracle.

And then there is Michael Nyman's hauntingly beautiful score, tying together the narrative with a poignant extra layer of emotion. So if you are also one of those people who had never seen The Piano before, don't hold off any longer.

release: 1993

director: Jane Campion

starring: Holly Hunter, Anna Paquin, Sam Neill, Harvey Keitel