Jane Campion’s The Piano tells a story of a mute woman, Ada McGrath, whose only way in expressing its feelings is through her piano.
In the story, Ada McGrath together with her young daughter Flora and her piano, are sent to 1980’s New Zealand for an arranged marriage to a wealthy landowner, Alistair Stewart. Upon arriving at the beach of New Zealand, there was no one there who would meet them so Ada and her daughter spent a night alone. From the very first time Ada met Alistair, she already had an ill feeling towards him for the reason that Alistair wouldn’t agree on carrying the piano since there are insufficient men that could carry Ada’s piano.
Even though Alistair and Ada are married, the two never had any sexual interaction and are even awkward to each other. Ada, not having what she wanted, never tried to befriend his husband but instead focused more in winning back her piano. She then decided to go to Alistair’s friend, George Baines, together with her daughter who served as her interpreter. Baines, on the other hand, tried to refuse the request at first but then eventually decided to help the women. Seeing Ada’s passion towards playing piano then became attracted to the women and decided to buy the piano. He then asked Alistair’s consent for him let his wife give some piano lessons to Baines. Getting Alistair’s approval, Ada had no choice but to teach Baines play piano. And besides, she has also been longing to play her piano again. But on the said piano lesson, he asks that he would rather listen than to play. Being attracted towards Ada, Baines took the chance and offered Ada a deal – he would give her piano if Ada would let Baines “do what he wants” while she’s playing the piano.
On the other hand, Flora became suspicious for her mother wouldn’t let her in during piano lessons and most of the time, there was no music playing. Flora, treating Alistair as her real father, told him all those things. Hence, Alistair knew everything and tried to lock down Ada onto his house. But eventually, having the confidence and trust towards his wife, Alistair unlocked his house. Before leaving for work, Alistair asked his wife if she would meet Baines again, Ada shakes her head no. Having the trust towards his wife, Alistair finally left.
Ada, on the other hand, asked her daughter to send a package for Baines which was a single piano key with “dear George, you will have my heart, Ada McGrath.” inscribed on it. Being mad towards her mother’s infidelity, Flora decided to give the package to Alistair whom she considers as her real father and not to Baines. Angered, Alistair furiously returned home and cut Ada’s index finger off. He then sent Flora to Baines the severed finger with a message that if try to meet again, Alistair would cut off Ada’s finger one by one.
After Ada’s recovery, Alistair decided to send Ada away … together with Baines. In their journey, Ada insisted to throw the piano to the ocean. As it sinks, she purposely put her foot into the rope. But she then realized to live and escaped into the rope.
For me, this one is again one of the greatest and most unique films I’ve ever watched. Honestly, at first, I thought the movie was boring and senseless. But I was so wrong. The conflict of the story was only shown on the latter part of the movie. On the other hand, the film showed that even those people who are very nice people who are very conservative have their limitations on these aspects. Alistair and Ada are the perfect examples for this one. At first, Alistair was very kind and thoughtful towards his wife and when even he already knew about the latter’s affair, he still accepted her. But in the end, he became the antagonist in the picture and came to a point that he cut off the finger of his own wife … in front of their daughter. Ada, on the other hand, was at first very conservative but towards the end of the film, her lust couldn’t be controlled.
Probably the main symbol in the film is the piano itself. The piano became Ada’s instrument to speak. Whatever she feels, she would just play a song onto it. Another symbolism is probably the piano keys. This somehow symbolized Ada’s body. When Baines was taking advantage onto her, every key is somehow equivalent to parts of her body. Same thing happened when Alistair was really mad towards Ada. The single piano key somehow became equivalent to her index finger.
All in all, The Piano is really a great to watch. Although you might find it a bit boring at first, I assure that your opinion would drastically change.
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