Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Cinemagoer: "The Pianist"

The Pianist (2002)



This powerful story is told through the eyes of one man. Wladislaw Szpielman (played by Adrien Brody) a Jewish Pianist living in Warsaw during the outbreak of World War II. The account that follows in them movie is an extremely moving portrait who loses everything, he witnesses his family being taken away, and many of the atrocities which were done to the Jewish People in WWII.
What I found to be masterfully done throughout the movie was the way in which themes and certain shots were shown in the film. At times it had a feeling of the Hitchcock movie "Rear Window," in that everything the viewer sees is through the eyes of the main character. In essence, we as the audience become Szpielman, or at least have a strong sympathy towards his character.
Throughout the film Szpielman doesn't speak much as we see him struggle to survive in the rubble of the town. However it is in this silence that his true acting finesse shines through. In his facial expressions, especially in his eyes; we as the audience feel a sense of the pain and emptiness which he carries with him throughout the movie.
This was one of the more moving movies I have seen. The score is top notch and fits beautifully with the emotions being portrayed. In the end, it's his gift of music which saves his life. In probably the most emotional scene of the movie. All in all I believe that it's a movie which everyone should watch.

I'd give it a solid two thumbs up.

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