Written, produced and directed by John Campion, this 1993 film is about a mute pianist (Holly Hunter) and her daughter (Anna Paquin) who went to live in west coast New Zealand with her new husband, Alistair Stewart.
Since she loved her piano very much, Ada struggled to bring it with her when they transferred to New Zealand. Her husband, Alistair tells her she could not bring the piano because their house is very small. For days, Ada longed for her piano. When she couldn’t take it any longer, she persuaded Baines to take her to the shore so that she could play her piano. Unbeknown to her, Baines became aroused whenever she plays the piano. He began brewing plans to be closer to Ada. Baines arranged a deal with Alistair that he’ll have Baines’ land if he would exchange it for the piano. Alistair readily agrees and appoints Ada to teach him how to play Baines then told Ada that if she wants her piano back, she would let Baines touch her. She became initially offended by the idea but she hesitantly agrees. This became the start of their affair. As the story progressed, Alistair learns of their affair and tried to separate them. When he realized he cannot separate the two, he decided to go far away and let the lovers live a happy life with Flora.
The movie’s main message for me is the importance of being able to express yourself to people. I found that I am very lucky that I have found my own voice and that I have the liberty to speak my mind. It’s also a good thing that Ada was able to show her true self through the music she plays.
The piano is a leit motif and a symbol at the same time. It served as an outlet of Ada’s feelings and emotions. It also was a silent witness to their affair, love and betrayal. Each piano key represents the progress of Ada and Baine’s love. When the piano was fully recovered by Ada, she found herself smitten by the man.
The scene where Ada was running her hands all over Alistair’s body was a clear symbol of her great desire of pleasures of the flesh. She did not want Alistair to touch her because she is imagining that Baines was the one she was touching. She did not want her dream to be ruined by the reality that it was indeed Alistair she was with.
Another symbol is the scene where Alistair cuts off Ada’s finger. It symbolized the end of his patience and tolerance of Ada’s betrayal. It also meant that for him, that would be the end of Ada and Baines’ affair.
Lastly, the scene where Ada fell into the sea with her piano is a symbol that she wants to be buried with the piano’s memories but when she realized she wanted to live, she struggled to free herself. The act of being submerged in the water and then emerging alive and unharmed, for me, is a symbol that Ada was already “cleansed” of the bad memories. She was already eager to live a happy life and make beautiful memories with Baines and Flora.
Overall, I would give this movie four and a half stars for it proved to be a very critical and interesting film. What’s more, it taught me a lot of values and made me think my actions over. Kudos to John Campion and his team!
