The Piano

Movie review by David Gurney, Common Sense Media
The Piano Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 16+

Charged tale of a woman's awakening for older teens and up.

R 1993 121 minutes
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Parents say

age 17+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 16+

Based on 2 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Piano is a complex adult drama with sexual relationships driving its plot. George is shown fully nude from the front in the beginning of a sex scene between him and Ada. In addition to a rather graphically staged play depicting violent acts, Ada's husband attacks Ada with a real axe, chopping off her finger -- a scene accentuated by blood squirting on the face of Ada's nearby daughter. He also holds George at gunpoint. While the language is not often explicit, the emotional intensity of the husband's rage is obviously heavy.

Community Reviews

Michael O.
Michael O. Adult
September 22, 2017
age 18+

Perfect

Holly Hunter and Anna Paquin are splendid in Jane Campion's enchanting and original story of a man who will not listen and a woman who can not speak. One of my favorite films ever made. *Profanity 2/10 * Violence 8/10 *Nudity 10/10 (explicit full frontal male and female nudity multiple times) *Sex 10/10 (The film is centered around the subject and there are many sexual scenes throughout including one scene of extremely explicit simulated sex--seconds were cut out to avoid the NC-17)

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Fraser67
Fraser67 Adult
April 6, 2014
age 16+

Signing Communication and Society

The show from the society how they blend in their cultures with Maori in 19th Century. Interesting theory somehow. It was the shame how much they have learned in their education culture values. Number one sex are involved anywhere. They are very open minds. United States are very closed minds. I have been to other countries and I have aware with their sexuality tastes. I don't mind to see this but not for any kids who have no educations values. I have seen Maoir's cultures and church performances children involved in the shows. There are no differences. I want to add other thing, I am hard of hearing and know many sign language. They use New Zealand sign language I have aware. In New Zealand, the mute piano lady from Scottish came to their country and does not know New Zealand sign language? British and New Zealand are very similar but the only differences is lexicons. New Zealand sign language was invented by Maori deaf people in New Zealand. I have wondered how that mute lady have learned her signing so fluently when she came to the country married to that man (Neill). She could have taught him. Its a very unusual scenes. As for violence that can happen anywhere. The kids can learn their lessons if they see one. If they have not seen one they may harm themselves. If you travel in back-country like in New Zealand be prepared with the tribes. Good luck with them.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE PIANO tells the story of a mute (by choice) Scottish woman of the 19th century, Ada (Holly Hunter), and her daughter Flora (Anna Paquin) as they move to New Zealand for Ada to fulfill the obligations of a marriage that her father has arranged. Her husband Stewart (Sam Neill) is awkward and stilted in his interactions with her. He doesn't appreciate her connection with the piano that she has brought with her from Scotland, which leavers her open to the affection of a Maori neighbor, George Baines (Harvey Keitel), who does understand the connection and uses the piano as a way to get close to Ada.

Is It Any Good?

Writer/director Jane Campion's The Piano is a poetic film, rich with metaphor, recurring visual motifs, and a masterful score by Michael Nyman. Watching this film for its story alone may leave many viewers wanting. The true core of the film is the impressionistic rendering of the sexual awakening of the repressed Ada at the hands of George Baines. The pace is slow, as time is taken to focus on the lush scenery of the New Zealand forest and the elaborate clothing and decorations marking the time period and its conservatism.

For those with the patience, this is a rewarding film filled with great performances. In fact, Holly Hunter won the best actress Oscar for playing Ada -- proving that a great actress doesn't need spoken dialogue to express herself vividly -- while Anna Paquin won the supporting actress award for her role.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why it's important that Ada chooses not to speak, acting as a mute, despite having no physical disability preventing her from doing so. How does Stewart treat Ada and her piano? In contrast, how does George treat her? Is it right for George to blackmail Ada into sexual situations with him? Are Stewart's reactions to George and Ada appropriate or understandable? What function do the Maoris have in the film?

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