― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 3 January 2003 23:23 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 4 January 2003 15:20 (twenty-one years ago) link
They showed this recently on Channel 4.
One of the most amazing things about this film is Isabelle Huppert's movement. The way she runs down the stairs in the scene where she sabotages the young girl's pocket, all her fast movements are almost 'boyish'. There's a swagger, a quickness of muscle that just doesn't fit with the idea of this woman being a sheltered tender piano genius. It's a beautiful contradiction, her demeanour not matching up with the technologies of conditioning her body has been through. A terrific terrific film.
― David. (Cozen), Friday, 12 September 2003 21:29 (twenty years ago) link
Now, though, looking back on things, I am still stunned by the acting and the way the visuals have stuck with my mind, many months after watching them. Not an 'upper' and there are some major flaws, but it is oddly compelling.
― I'm Passing Open Windows (Ms Laura), Thursday, 18 September 2003 03:04 (twenty years ago) link
― daria g (daria g), Thursday, 18 September 2003 03:29 (twenty years ago) link
― dave q, Thursday, 18 September 2003 08:06 (twenty years ago) link
My initial reaction, though, is that it's not a great film. There's something self-satisfied about its severity, bordering on smugness. It congratulates itself for being a movie willing to show you what it shows, and the audience is expected to congratulate it (and Huppert in particular) in turn. I can understand the attraction of the role to a performer like Huppert, because she's a serious actress and it was a serious challenge. But that's the thing -- I can understand the motivations of the people who wanted to make the movie, but I have a hard time thinking of a motivation for wanting to see it.
― gypsy mothra (gypsy mothra), Thursday, 28 July 2005 07:45 (eighteen years ago) link
― friday on the porch (lfam), Saturday, 10 February 2007 07:46 (seventeen years ago) link
it doesn't really work, though, as a story about a piano teacher. the open cliffhanger of 'what happens?' is underwhelming, if such a thing is possible.
― friday on the porch (lfam), Saturday, 10 February 2007 08:19 (seventeen years ago) link
Ugh, strike 2 for Haneke after Funny Games. I didn't even know he directed this film.
― youcangoyourownway, Wednesday, 19 March 2008 17:44 (sixteen years ago) link
I'll be chewing this one over for a couple of days.
― Rock Hardy, Tuesday, 29 April 2008 04:53 (sixteen years ago) link
it's a bullshit movie with a great performance. (oh i already said that on this thread. well, it's still true.)
― tipsy mothra, Tuesday, 29 April 2008 05:01 (sixteen years ago) link
''As for the Adorno side of things - wasn't Adorno some hot-shot musician as well?''
yes, and a composer but not a v good one i believe (haven't heard anything tho').
I have heard a string quartet of his since, my recollection of it was as a very 1910s-20s sorta work in the way the strings would move.
H's performance, undoubtedly great as it is, is kinda used to talk down the all-round excellence of this film. As a character and the way it is drawn, the teacher is totally unreal, so its remarkable how she makes as convincing as it is, and how I even sympathize and feel for her at the end when she is merely a spoiled child (as Daria puts it). May have a lot of bullshit in it but I like his bullshit.
― xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 29 April 2008 09:03 (sixteen years ago) link
John Waters needs to remake it.
― Dr Morbius, Tuesday, 29 April 2008 13:28 (sixteen years ago) link
It desperately needs improvement by someone, anyone
― Tom D., Tuesday, 29 April 2008 13:33 (sixteen years ago) link