Director
Jane Campion
Leading Actors/Actresses
Holly Hunter, Anna Paquin, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill
Supporting Actors/Actresses
Kerry Walker, Tungia Baker, Ian Mune, Genevieve Lemon
Genre
Drama
Language
English
Awards
Palm d'Or, 3 Oscars, 1 Golden Globe
Date of Release
May 19th, 1993
Producer
Jan Chapman
Setting and Context
New Zealand, mid-1800's
Narrator and Point of View
For the most part from the POV of Ada, a mute piano player
Tone and Mood
A very dramatic, noir mood, mysterious and compelling.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist is Ada, antagonist could be seen as Alisdair Stewart
Major Conflict
Ada is sent to New Zealand to marry Alisdair in an arranged marriage, but falls in love with his handsome friend Baines instead, causing conflict when Alisdair begins to suspect the affair.
Climax
Alisdair, in a fit of jealous rage after reading a love letter from Ada to Baines, cuts off her finger so she can never play the piano again. He sends the finger to Baines, who swears he has never had an affair with her.
Foreshadowing
When Baines asks Ada to give him piano lessons, he leans closer, as well as doing other romantic gestures, indicating he has a greater interest in her than the piano itself.
Understatement
Baines lies to Alisdair about his relationship with Ada, claiming they never did anything romantic, a clear understatement as they had intercourse several times in private.
Innovations in Filming or Lighting or Camera Techniques
The lighting of the film is very subtle; many scenes take place in more dark, unlit lighting, contributing to the movie's ambiguous tone.
Allusions
No significant instances.
Paradox
No significant instances of paradoxes.
Parallelism
The Piano can be compared to other drama works later, such as Black Swan and in that they both have a deep connection with music and other artistic forms that turns violent.
