The Piano Teacher -- avoid it at all costs!

[JonathanLB]

There, if you read the title you already know what you need to know, please do not be another victim of this horrible film.

I cannot believe how shockingly awful this film was. I think it deserves 1/2 star, but towards the beginning I thought it had potential. It had good acting and good music, at least, and it was going ok right up until the part where this dumb chick starts jerking off this guy in the bathroom and then pretty soon she says she wants him to slap her and beat her and tie her up and all of this sadomasochistic nonsense, then pretty soon she blows him, barfs, and he rapes her and beats her up at her apartment, and then the film ends with her stabbing herself in the shoulder (not enough to seriously do any real damage) and walking out the door of a... concert hall. The end. Everyone lived happily ever after.

If I spoiled anything, then good riddance, maybe you'll feel you don't have to waste two hours of your life on this film like I just did.

And THIS is good foreign film?! THIS is why we open our theaters to foreign movies? I am sorry, but no. I would rather watch American porn than watch this type of s**t. If this is the best Europe can offer, then SCREW them, because Asian cinema and U.S. cinema are 100 times better than this drivel. LEARN TO MAKE MOVIES PEOPLE! Christ, my intelligence has been insulted. What a SICK joke.

Did I mention that this lady makes out with her mom in one scene and tries to screw her? Well that happens too. Another WONDERFUL gem from France -- THANK YOU, Frenchies!

[Dutchy]

Surprise, surprise... I thought it was really good. :)

It did feel kinda weird every now and then, I have to say too, but this is about a real woman who's having some perverted fantasies that we normally don't see or even know of. It's a very voyeuristic movie. Very well acted by Isabelle Huppert, she did a marvellous job. One of the best performances of the year.

Oh, the director is Austrian Michael Haneke, who also directed the movie Funny Games, which I named a few days ago.

Anyway, fair enough, I can imagine this is not your cup of tea.

[JonathanLB]

Ok, let's be honest, do you think I might like Funny Games? Should I even bother? I mean if it's like The Piano Teacher, forget about it.

I agree with Roeper on The Piano Teacher, entirely useless film. I also agree that the lead actress did a good job, though, it is wasted talent. She is clearly a good actress. The guy isn't bad, I mean, I didn't think his performance was anything that special, but hers was very good. In service of what, though? Nothing.

I concluded my review with the following:

In defense of the minority report for The Piano Teacher, a few other critics have similarly trashed the film. Jeff Vice of the Deseret News wrote in his one-star review, “The Piano Teacher is the sort of movie that discourages American audiences from ever wanting to see another foreign film.” David Cornelius, film critic of Amazing-Colossal.com, wrote in his review that the film is “artsy-fartsy stupidity, leaving The Piano Teacher a failed effort on every level.” Readers have their fair warning. Proceed with caution.

[Dutchy]

Originally posted by JonathanLB
Ok, let's be honest, do you think I might like Funny Games? Should I even bother? I mean if it's like The Piano Teacher, forget about it.

It's nothing like The Piano Teacher. Yes, I'd say you give it a try.


In defense of the minority report for The Piano Teacher, a few other critics have similarly trashed the film. Jeff Vice of the Deseret News wrote in his one-star review, “The Piano Teacher is the sort of movie that discourages American audiences from ever wanting to see another foreign film.” David Cornelius, film critic of Amazing-Colossal.com, wrote in his review that the film is “artsy-fartsy stupidity, leaving The Piano Teacher a failed effort on every level.” Readers have their fair warning. Proceed with caution.

Well, whatever movie you see, there will always be critics who don't like it, so I'd say stick to your own opinion.

Or, if you look at Rotten Tomatoes: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ThePianoTeacher-1113113/

74% fresh reading, 87% fresh cream of the crop.

So it's not like those 2 reviews you named are representative for what seems to be the critical consensus on this movie.

[JonathanLB]

No, of course not, but I have to say what I think and I'm glad I'm not the only person on Earth who thought that. :)

Ultimately I must give my true opinion of each film, regardless of what other critics say, though. It's not my duty to be faithful to a group of people, it's my duty to be true to myself.