“The Piano Teacher” (2001) – Did you take piano lessons? I did. Admittedly, I didn’t enjoy playing and, unfortunately, lost interest in the instrument. Looking back, that’s a shame, and my teacher was really pleasant, kind, and patient. Oh well.
Another piano teacher, one living in Vienna, isn’t so understanding, and she’s a woman to be feared.
Erika Kohut (Isabelle Huppert) is a skilled piano professor, but she’s a lonely woman who harbors resentment and jealously, and these contemptable traits lash out when we least expect them in Michael Haneke’s shocking psychological drama, “The Piano Teacher”.
At first, Haneke lulls us to a sense of ease with the film’s title, and Erika carries a quiet strength, the gift of proficiency, but looks can be deceiving. We soon discover that Erika is hypercritical of others attempting her craft, but much darker shades will reveal themselves over the 131-minute runtime.
Yikes! Perhaps, my unceremonious departure from the piano turned out to be a blessing.
Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon: 2
Isabelle Huppert stars in “The Piano Teacher” (2001)
Isabelle Huppert stars in “Heaven’s Gate” (1980) with Jeff Bridges
Jeff Bridges stars in “R.I.P.D.” (2013) with Kevin Bacon
Directed and written by: Michael Haneke
Starring: Isabelle Huppert, Anne Girardot, Benoit Magimel, Anna Sigalevitch
Runtime: 131 minutes
Rated: R
Image credits: MK2
