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The Piano (1993)

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Movie Info & Cast

Director:

Jane Campion

Producer:

Jane Campion, Alain Depardieu

Runtime:

2hr 1m

Synopsis

In the mid-19th century a mute woman is sent to New Zealand along with her young daughter and prized piano for an arranged marriage to a farmer, but is soon lusted after by a farm worker.

Cast

  • Holly Hunter
  • Harvey Keitel
  • Sam Neill
  • Anna Paquin
  • Kerry Walker
  • Geneviève Lemon
  • Tungia Baker
  • Ian Mune
  • Pete Smith
  • Bruce Allpress

Letterboxd User Reviews

3.8
213.8K
87.9K
50.2K
RATINGS 2.5K FANS
3.8
  • Mar 21, 2020

    bro, imagine raising a snitch

    3.2K Likes
    john
    john
    Feb 7, 2022

    I’m starting to think Harvey Keitel wasn’t serious about wanting to learn to play the piano

    2.4K Likes
    Patrick Willems
    Patrick Willems
    Dec 4, 2014

    This film has the wrong ending. It was such a startlingly wrong ending that I looked it up to confirm--Campion herself has said she intended a different ending. While the film's wrong ending is fine, really, it seems tacked on. And while it conveys a certain sense of what…

    2.1K Likes
    Sally Jane Black
    Sally Jane Black
  •
    May 10, 2016

    SHE JUST WANTED TO PLAY HER PIANO

    1.7K Likes
    Lucy
    Lucy
    Feb 1, 2017

    why are heterosexuals like this

    1.3K Likes
    tova hirsch
    tova hirsch
    Mar 11, 2020

    "I'm quite the town freak, which satisfies."

    1.1K Likes
    fran hoepfner
    fran hoepfner
  •
    Feb 1, 2012

    55/100 [originally written on my blog] Ada's wholehearted surrender to Baines still troubles me. Obviously the film is very much a woman's vision, and I'm not averse to potentially off-putting complexity in this realm, but Campion really does present Baines' sexual…

    1.1K Likes
    Mike D'Angelo
    Mike D'Angelo
    Apr 29, 2020

    Some of the most beautiful music ever written for a film, and very rich, expressive images that say everything the lead character can't. "Like a mood that passes into you."

    955 Likes
    Josh Lewis
    Josh Lewis
    Jan 4, 2020

    the way anna paquin grew up to hate harvey keitel even more in the irishman... poetic cinema

    953 Likes
    Muriel
    Muriel
See All Reviews on Letterboxd.com

Queue Community Reviews

77%
Community 1,515
❤️ LOVE
25%
👍 LIKE
52%
😐 MEH
17%
👎 DISLIKE
6%
Top Reviews
  • Freddie A
    Freddie A is "meh" on
    The Piano

    This was not my cup of tea just found it a bit boring not gonna lie. Really had to drag my way through this one. The acting was good especially by the Oscar winners but other than that I won’t be running to see it again

    1Y
    11811
    11811 loved
    The Piano

    A gentle, quiet, reflective film on the powers of seeing the world beyond a human’s eyes because, let’s face it, our senses do not always tell the full story.

    3Y
    Rebekah Ferrell
    Rebekah Ferrell is "meh" on
    The Piano

    I’ve watched this of my own accord and for a few film classes. I think the more I watch it, I like it, but I found it odd and uncomfortable the first time.

    2Y
  • Linvanderr
    Linvanderr is "meh" on
    The Piano

    Really nice cinematography and so many interesting layers But I didn’t enjoy all the abuse portrayed in this movie Made me uncomfortable

    1Y
    Vogue Italia
    Vogue Italia loved
    The Piano

    sooooo beautiful. so brilliantly done. each performance was absolutely phenomenal. the story has such a rich and deep plot,,,,, love it

    2Y
    Anaïs Nessfa
    Anaïs Nessfa loved
    The Piano

    It was so good even tho a little harsh sometimes but the story is beautiful and some moments are pretty funny which lightens the mood

    2Y
  • Marianne
    Marianne liked
    The Piano

    the beginning is amazing, I think the very end gets a bit lost. Incredible acting, directing. so poetic, such complex characters

    2Y
    Sweet Aileen
    Sweet Aileen is "meh" on
    The Piano

    Beautiful cinematography and interesting story but sad and depressing and kinda off putting on some parts

    2Y
    Steve Hallett
    Steve Hallett is "meh" on
    The Piano

    An uncomfortable film to watch at times (saw it about ten years ago) , sort of a period drama, 5.5/10.

    5M
View More Popular The Piano Reviews on Queue

Atom Users Reviews

No one has posted a user review yet.

Metacritic

89
metacritic
Based on 20 Critics
7.9

USER SCORE (134)

Generally favorable reviews based on 134 Reviews
75

Although the action tends to become melodramatic and even overwrought at times, the imaginative power of Campion's images and emotional insights (especially with regard to the heroin) rarely allow the story to seem artificial or exaggerated. [12 Nov 1993]

View full review
Metacritic review by David Sterritt
David Sterritt
Christian Science Monitor
90

Campion has spun a fable as potently romantic as a Bronte tale. But The Piano is also deeply cinematic. [22 Nov 1993]

View full review
Richard Corliss
Time
100

Campion's script is very well received, but the film finally makes it on cinematics: bleakly beautiful photography, haunting score, and good acting. [12 Nov 1993]

View full review
Metacritic review by Mike Clark
Mike Clark
USA Today
See All Critic Reviews on Metacritic.com

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is The Piano (1993)?
The movie is 2hr 1min long.
What's The Piano (1993) about?
In the mid-19th century a mute woman is sent to New Zealand along with her young daughter and prized piano for an arranged marriage to a farmer, but is soon lusted after by a farm worker.
Who's the cast of The Piano (1993)?
  • Holly Hunter as Ada McGrath
  • Harvey Keitel as George Baines
  • Sam Neill as Alisdair Stewart
  • Anna Paquin as Flora McGrath
  • Kerry Walker as Aunt Morag
  • Geneviève Lemon as Nessie
  • Tungia Baker as Hira
  • Ian Mune as Reverend
  • Pete Smith as Hone
  • Bruce Allpress as Piano Tuner
Who's the director behind The Piano (1993)?
Jane Campion directed The Piano (1993).
Who produced The Piano (1993)?
Jane Campion and Alain Depardieu produced The Piano (1993).