The Pianist: Wow, just simply, wow...

[Guest Downhome]

What can I say, other than I am in awe at what I just finished watching, The Pianist. I know it's being hailed as a great film, as seen by it's nomination for Best Picture, but I had no idea it was as good as it was. Before this, my pick was Chicago, but now, I'm not so sure. This film simply blew me away, in just about every way. The look, the feel, the tone, it just "felt" pefect, and whatnot. Everyone in the film looked, and acted, their parts seemingly flawlessly from where I sit. While there aren't any truly classic performances in this one, everyone was great. Now when you think about it, isn't it best for everyone on the cast to have a solid performance, rather than a single person to have an Award Winning performance? I'd have to say so, but that's just me. That being said, I must also say that Adrien Brody was fantastic, and is the emotional and dramatic backbone in this film, he was fantasic, playing the role of Wladyslaw Szpilman.

 

I know some feel the last half, or so, of the film is borring and repetitive, but in my eyes, it was paced perfectly. I felt as if I could, as best I could by simply watching a film, actually know what Wladyslaw Szpilman went through, and his struggle for survival. When it all comes down to it, when it's all on the line and it's a matter of life and death, one MUST do what is need to survive, to move on, and to simply live. I felt such a connection with this character, and his trials of trying to stay in hiding, and to simply have just a drop or a simply bite of food to eat. It was human life stirpped to the bone, naked, and bare, and I loved every second of this visual and emotional experiance.

 

This is just the basic second half of the film, the first half put forth even more emotions. I felt a true bond between him and his family, and when they were seperated, I truly felt heart broken for all of them. Then of course we have the scene's where all of the horrible things happen, like the German's killing innocent people for seemingly no reason. While it's been presented in film before, this is one of the most emotional in this sense I've ever seen.

 

How great was the scene where they make a series of men lie on the ground, and a German soldier walks by firing off a single shot into each of their heads, untill he gets to the last guy. His clip is empty, and he has to put a new one in. The way the man on the ground looked up at him, I could actually feel, the best I could, his fear for his life which he KNEW was about to end. While that scene is so subtle, it was so powerful for me, in more ways than one.

 

Then the scene where the German soldier finds him hiding out, I didn't know what was going to happen at that time, it was great. Even though they didn't have too many encounters, I felt such a strong connection between those two characters also. When he began to help him, bringing him food and giving him his coat, it was just something else to me.

 

Even the lines in the film seemed to be just in the right place. You can almost pick out certain lines here and there which trigger a change in mood and whatnot. One that instantly comes to mind, is right near the end. Wladyslaw Szpilman has been hiding in the attic, and he finally hears the Russians coming in. He is so excited that he runs out with open arms, and the Russians take aim and fire thinking he's a German because of the coat he has on. He runs back in the building, and they tell him to come out saying that he's not German, and he is in face Pollish. I love this line, as it was like, just a release for the film, Wladyslaw Szpilman, and me...

 

"Why the fucking coat!?" --- Russian

 

*shivering* "I'm cold." --- Wladyslaw Szpilman

 

...maybe it's just me, but I just sighed after that, while also actually laughing. That's one emotion you didn't really feel throughout this film, and when you finally really had an excuse to, it was symbolic and meant something, I loved that. Anyhow...

 

...I'll shut up now, I just wanted to express a few of my thoughts on this film, and I think I'll just come out and say it, in my personal opinion of course...

 

...The Pianist, 2003 Best Picture.

 

Sincerely,

...Downhome...

[Guest Downhome]

Now that the DVD out, does anyone have any thoughts on this film?

[Guest godthedog]

i got the chance to see it on the big screen. unforgettable experience, every once in a while polanski manages to pull out something like THIS and totally blow me away. easily the best movie of 2002, and one of polanski's best ever (and when you've done 'chinatown', 'repulsion' and 'rosemary's baby', that's saying something).

 

EDIT: stupid comment narrowly averted in this post. if you want to see it, read flyboy's post.

Edited May 29, 2003 by godthedog

[Guest Crux]

Ever since Adrien Brody gave that emotional acceptance speech at the Oscars Ive wanted to see this--after reading this, I think I really need to buy this.

[Guest Flyboy]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaugh! why did you wait till dvd to watch this movie?

He didn't, cumdrinker. Look at the date for the first post.

[Guest godthedog]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaugh!  why did you wait till dvd to watch this movie? 

He didn't, cumdrinker. Look at the date for the first post.

lick my balls.

[Guest Downhome]

Woohoo, EVERYONE must see this piece of art!

[Guest godthedog]

we should start a campaign for everyone to see it.

 

we could form a clique and make it the coolest clique EVER, and in order to be a member you have to see 'the pianist'.

 

of course...any clique that requires all its members to see 'the pianist' pretty much becomes the coolest clique ever by default though, doesn't it.

[Guest BANKYWOOD]

The movie was a double edges sword for me. The element of following around one character throughout the holocaust, and see through his eyes the suffering he and the other Jews had to go through. His story was extremely captivating, and it demonstrates the obstacles one needed to overcome during that time.

 

Watching the DVD featurette, I also kinda tuned into another aspect I really enjoyed. They didn't play off all German's as bad guys, and all Jews/Poles as good guys. They recognized the realistic truth that there wasn't a uniformed belief on either side.

 

The part I didn't care for as much was that I had trouble keeping up with the actual events. I know there wasn't any way they could have explained what was going on (Warsaw Uprising and the German assault on Poland in '44). If it wasn't for my past knowledge on the topic, the events surrounding the story would have confused me.

 

Overall I enjoyed the movie, but I didn't think it was better than Shindler's List. I hate to put this movie against SL, but since they are both based around the holocaust, it happens. Adrien Brody played the out-going resiliant personality that transforms into the frail, almost hopeless figure that finishes the movie. That said, I think Daniel Day-Lewis deserved the nod for the underated Gangs of New York.

 

(I saw underated as the movie came out to great acclaim but as people saw this, they began shitting on it because of the major hype).

[Guest Lord of The Curry]

For once in a long time, I'm agreeing with DH. This is a beautiful movie. It's an important movie. I watched it today and cried at things I never thought I'd cry at. Why? Because I don't doubt that they really happened.

 

Having said that, this movie isn't for everyone. It's a hard, depressing film to watch. If you are ready to learn about history and put your emotions on edge, go for it. Regardless of whether or not about Adrian Brody, Roman Polanski or WWII, you should see this movie.

[Guest BANKYWOOD]

For once in a long time, I'm agreeing with DH. This is a beautiful movie. It's an important movie. I watched it today and cried at things I never thought I'd cry at. Why? Because I don't doubt that they really happened.

 

Having said that, this movie isn't for everyone. It's a hard, depressing film to watch. If you are ready to learn about history and put your emotions on edge, go for it. Regardless of whether or not about Adrian Brody, Roman Polanski or WWII, you should see this movie.

I found Shindler's List was more emotional for displaying the horrendous nature of the holocaust. The Pianist personalized it. Thats why it was so heart wrenching to watch, there was ONE guy who the viewer was emotionally invested in. A big difference from other war movies.

[Guest Downhome]

For once in a long time, I'm agreeing with DH. This is a beautiful movie. It's an important movie. I watched it today and cried at things I never thought I'd cry at. Why? Because I don't doubt that they really happened.

 

Having said that, this movie isn't for everyone. It's a hard, depressing film to watch. If you are ready to learn about history and put your emotions on edge, go for it. Regardless of whether or not about Adrian Brody, Roman Polanski or WWII, you should see this movie.

I found Shindler's List was more emotional for displaying the horrendous nature of the holocaust. The Pianist personalized it. Thats why it was so heart wrenching to watch, there was ONE guy who the viewer was emotionally invested in. A big difference from other war movies.

I agree with you, but The Pianist is just RIGHT behind Shindler's List.

 

In reality though, each film is better in it's different ways.

 

I think I PREFER The Pianist however, I just really got involved in it's story, not to mention that this film got me really into the music that was displayed, heh.

[Guest BANKYWOOD]

For once in a long time, I'm agreeing with DH. This is a beautiful movie. It's an important movie. I watched it today and cried at things I never thought I'd cry at. Why? Because I don't doubt that they really happened.

 

Having said that, this movie isn't for everyone. It's a hard, depressing film to watch. If you are ready to learn about history and put your emotions on edge, go for it. Regardless of whether or not about Adrian Brody, Roman Polanski or WWII, you should see this movie.

I found Shindler's List was more emotional for displaying the horrendous nature of the holocaust. The Pianist personalized it. Thats why it was so heart wrenching to watch, there was ONE guy who the viewer was emotionally invested in. A big difference from other war movies.

I agree with you, but The Pianist is just RIGHT behind Shindler's List.

 

In reality though, each film is better in it's different ways.

 

I think I PREFER The Pianist however, I just really got involved in it's story, not to mention that this film got me really into the music that was displayed, heh.

Both are great movies, but they'll never be high on my watching list since they are set in such gloomy times. I am really disappointed the Pianist DVD didn't come with some historical featurettes about the holocaust. That would have set me over the edge to purchase the show. For a double disk, it was quite light in the extra features. The movie though is supurb.

[Guest Downhome]

For once in a long time, I'm agreeing with DH. This is a beautiful movie. It's an important movie. I watched it today and cried at things I never thought I'd cry at. Why? Because I don't doubt that they really happened.

 

Having said that, this movie isn't for everyone. It's a hard, depressing film to watch. If you are ready to learn about history and put your emotions on edge, go for it. Regardless of whether or not about Adrian Brody, Roman Polanski or WWII, you should see this movie.

I found Shindler's List was more emotional for displaying the horrendous nature of the holocaust. The Pianist personalized it. Thats why it was so heart wrenching to watch, there was ONE guy who the viewer was emotionally invested in. A big difference from other war movies.

I agree with you, but The Pianist is just RIGHT behind Shindler's List.

 

In reality though, each film is better in it's different ways.

 

I think I PREFER The Pianist however, I just really got involved in it's story, not to mention that this film got me really into the music that was displayed, heh.

Both are great movies, but they'll never be high on my watching list since they are set in such gloomy times. I am really disappointed the Pianist DVD didn't come with some historical featurettes about the holocaust. That would have set me over the edge to purchase the show. For a double disk, it was quite light in the extra features. The movie though is supurb.

Did you get the version with more than one disc, or did you get the single double-sided disc?

 

Fuck, did yours even come with an insert? (if you got the single disc set.)

 

If you want tons of stuff about the holocaust, then just wait for the upcoming SE of Shindler's List. In addition to various documentaries on the subject, it's coming with about 40 minutes or so of deleted footage and other goodies. No release date has been set yet, but it's coming.

[Guest BANKYWOOD]

I rented it. It was the double disk. The only thing of interest was the featurette where Polinski discusses how he chose the sets and discussed the filming. That stuff didn't mean anything to me.

 

Yea I heard that Shindler's List is going to be loaded, but thats probably one I would have gotten anway. Its one of the greatest pictures in history, and I would get it almost out of principal.

[Guest Downhome]

I rented it. It was the double disk. The only thing of interest was the featurette where Polinski discusses how he chose the sets and discussed the filming. That stuff didn't mean anything to me.

 

Yea I heard that Shindler's List is going to be loaded, but thats probably one I would have gotten anway. Its one of the greatest pictures in history, and I would get it almost out of principal.

Yeah, that kind of stuff REALLY interests me, seeing how I'm so interested in filmmaking, and write.

 

I bought The Pianist though, it just had to be in my collection.

[Guest Dmann2000]

If you want tons of stuff about the holocaust, then just wait for the upcoming SE of Shindler's List. In addition to various documentaries on the subject, it's coming with about 40 minutes or so of deleted footage and other goodies. No release date has been set yet, but it's coming.

I still have a hard time with the upcoming "Schindler's List" DVD beaning talked about as a 'loaded special edition'. Even if it is, it just seems like the wrong film to use adjectives like that.

[Guest BANKYWOOD]

If you want tons of stuff about the holocaust, then just wait for the upcoming SE of Shindler's List. In addition to various documentaries on the subject, it's coming with about 40 minutes or so of deleted footage and other goodies. No release date has been set yet, but it's coming.

I still have a hard time with the upcoming "Schindler's List" DVD beaning talked about as a 'loaded special edition'. Even if it is, it just seems like the wrong film to use adjectives like that.

Don't worry, I'm sure they'll spruce it up.