The Piano (1993)

Nominee

Movies, in general, are never a predictable experience because the art form is not complete until it has been consumed by an audience. The problem with an audience is it is comprised of individuals, none of whom completely share the same set of memories or morals. Throw in something as personal as sex, and you have yourself a personal moment you are now sharing with a massive group....Where am I going with this? It is up to the individual to determine what to them is art and what is just blatant sex to serve a separate purpose. Where is the line? Well I can't speak for yours but here embodied in this movie is mine, it pushes a limit without pushing an inch past it, impressive to see.  

This movie presents sexuality to serve the purpose of narration and tell the story of human carnal attraction through the notion of passion. And because every ounce of this story is committed to the translation of that purpose I am willing to consign the eroticism not to shock value or mere pornography but to something deeply conversing with the human experience. We see this through the development of character and place, the cinematography and the music. The care in every aspect is there, making it something notable in execution and creditable in content.

The characters are all people on the edge, be it literally on the map or a place between civilization and survival. Ada, a mute piano player,  and her daughter, Flora, are sent to New Zealand when Ada's father sells her in marriage to Allistar Stewart. While there her path crosses with George Baines another Englishman who has become integrated into the lifestyles of the natives. Passions cross and savagery confronts civility while music leads to instinct.  These characters and the people playing them are dynamic. Holly Hunter as Ada somehow lets us see a strong willed woman without a voice, and Anna Paquin who plays Flora, gives us a little girl still trying to discover right and wrong in a world of conflict. These performances are unforgettable.

Then there is the music and cinematography that give us a visual and auditory contrast. This world is presented as a fairytale, with coloring in the music and saturation of the frames. The outside world is cold and dark, while any scene where human contact ensues is full of warmth. It is through love and music that Ada finds belonging in this story, and we are not given that through dialogue, we see it and hear it.

Overall: This movie is beautifully done, and the attention found here is what makes movie making so incredibly dynamic. The content is at times very forward but it is not given in frivolity but purpose. I think this film is worth the watch but this is of course my line. Happy Watching.