tomsims1

Reading the box at the video store, I went back and forth in my mind trying to decide whether this might be a good rental or not. I knew nothing about the film beforehand. I have always enjoyed David Strathairn, so that was a plus. However, reading the summary it sounded boring. Finally, since there was nothing else in the store more appealing, I picked it up. I was pleasantly surprised to see that John Sayles had written and directed it as I had just seen MATEWAN, and loved it. As the story unfolded, I found that I liked getting to know the people. This is an art that is often never attempted and even less often achieved. It is a fine line between interest and boredom, if the storyteller is having the patience to develop his charactors. I kept getting more and more curious as the movie went on as to what was going to happen next. Then the big plot twist occured with Strathairn's brother and the story shifted into another gear. Now you get to see the world more completely through each of the 3 main charactors eyes. It was great...each charactor was equally complex and rivoting to me. The ending was a total shock. I was iniatially disappointed, but in retrospect.... I love it. I have always advocated unpredicatability as a key element of a good film and there is no way to see that ending coming. I could say more, but at the risk of giving the surprise away...suffice to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this movie.

I didn't know what to expect before viewing this film. Certainly the title gave no clues and was a bit of a turn-off. However, right from the start I found the story to be interesting. It had a lot of twists and turns that kept my interest throughout. It is one of those pictures that you are better not knowing anything, so I won't reveal any of the plot. Suffice to say this script made for enjoyable watching and I am surprised that other viewers did not rate it as highly as I did.

I can see how this movie would not be for everyone. However, it worked beautifully for me. It was a wonderful contrast of a renowned piano teacher who becomes too attached to her young prodigy. The story was a wonderful juxtaposition of classical performances, along with a study of the people involved. The story develops simultaneously with the evolution of the main charactors, and the acting was first rate. You don't have to love classical piano to enjoy this, but it probably helps. It is a fine story with many layers and I give it a thumbs up.