The Piano Blu-ray Review

Lionsgate's Blu-ray presentation of "The Piano" offers a video quality that is a mixed bag, predominantly impacted by the source material used. Encoded in AVC at 1080p with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, the transfer showcases a film that tends to gravitate toward darker, stormy environments and interiors filtered with blue tones. The transfer struggles with fluctuating grain levels that are especially evident in low-light and blue-filtered scenes, though not as extreme as seen in similar Miramax releases like "The English Patient". While some close-up and midrange shots display commendable sharpness and fine detail, the overall image occasionally suffers from softness, particularly in wide shots.

The color palette in "The Piano" is deliberately muted, contributing to a more subdued visual aesthetic. This decision sometimes results in facial complexions appearing pale and lifeless, though certain scenes succeed in rendering primary colors effectively, with interior shots benefitting from warm reddish hues. Unfortunately, black levels and shadow details often suffer; shadows appear overly dense, leading to significant detail loss in dimly lit scenes. Despite these issues, the film's distinctive blue filtering is consistently well-executed, providing a compelling contrast to the otherwise restrained color scheme. Overall, while this release retains much of the film's artistic intent, the inconsistencies and limitations of the aged print are evident.

The audio presentation of "The Piano" on Blu-ray boasts a commendable DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix. Despite not featuring a 5.1 surround mix, the stereo design delivers surprisingly good fidelity with notable separation. Specifically, the low-frequency effects (LFE) are unexpectedly robust, with notable instances like the opening sequence's roaring water as Ada and Flora arrive in New Zealand. Ambient environmental sounds such as the omnipresent rain, which is crucial to several key scenes, are rendered with excellent clarity and presence. Though Ada is mute, the clean and clear representation of dialogue ensures that spoken elements are easily understood.

Michael Nyman’s score benefits greatly from this audio track, delivering rich clarity and fidelity across the dynamic range. Despite some subjective views on the score's suitability for the film, its technical execution is impeccable, with expansive imaging that fills the front channels compellingly. Even during intimate, whispered conversations, dialogue remains well-prioritized and stable in the center of the soundstage. The low-end, while not overwhelmingly deep, provides sufficient weight to lend depth to the score and power to scenes involving lighting effects.

Overall, while "The Piano" may lack a 5.1 mix, the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track stands out for its clean rendering of dialogue, strong ambient effects, and a richly textured score that commands the soundstage. This ensures an engaging and immersive audio experience despite the film’s more restrained action sequences. It is worth noting, however, that there are some reported missing subtitles during sign language scenes which might impact some viewers' experience.

The extras for "The Piano" Blu-ray edition are limited yet engaging, offering a brief journey through the movie’s promotional history. The primary supplement is the theatrical trailer, allowing viewers to revisit the film's original marketing approach. This inclusion is primarily for enthusiasts desiring a complete archival experience of the film's release history. However, the disc's offerings might feel sparse, providing minimal behind-the-scenes insights or expanded content, which could be a missed opportunity for film aficionados seeking in-depth exploration.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: Original theatrical preview of the film.

In "The Piano," Jane Campion orchestrates a poignant narrative set in the wilds of 19th-century New Zealand, weaving a story rich in emotional depth and visual grandeur. The film centers on the mute Ada McGrath, portrayed brilliantly by Holly Hunter. Rendered in expressive silence, Hunter's performance is deeply moving, capturing a tumultuous inner life through subtle body language and intense facial expressions. Hunter's character communicates primarily through her piano, an extension of her very soul, with the instrument symbolically marking her resilience and unspoken longings. Anna Paquin delivers a startlingly mature performance as Flora, Ada’s daughter and mouthpiece, showcasing the film's emotional complexity through their unique, symbiotic bond.

From a cinematic perspective, "The Piano" transcends typical period melodrama through its meticulous visual composition and evocative use of setting. Stuart Dryburgh’s cinematography underscores the harsh beauty of the New Zealand landscape, juxtaposing stormy beaches and dense rainforests with the refined visuals of Victorian era life. Campion's direction punctuates this beauty with moments of raw emotional intensity, seamlessly blending Ada’s silent struggle with the broader narrative of colonial tension. Harvey Keitel and Sam Neill round out the formidable cast, delivering nuanced performances that explore themes of love, betrayal, and cultural conflict. Keitel’s Baines, in particular, serves as a catalyst for Ada’s emotional awakening, creating a powerful dynamic that underscores the film’s central motifs.

Campion’s narrative mastery is evident in her juxtaposition of visual splendor and thematic depth. The film delicately balances moments of profound silence with impactful musical sequences, allowing Michael Nyman’s haunting score to become an integral character in its own right. Despite occasional narrative missteps, such as unexplored backstories and brief ventures into animation, "The Piano" remains a masterful composition that communicates its deepest truths through visual storytelling and musical eloquence. The film leaves an indelible impression, like a lingering melody, resonating with themes of resilience, love, and the intrinsic power of artistic expression.

Jane Campion's "The Piano" is a period melodrama that transcends expectations, transforming hidden passions and struggles into an evocative, lyrical motion picture. The film is anchored by extraordinary performances from Holly Hunter and a young Anna Paquin, both of whom received well-deserved Oscars. Supported by strong performances from Sam Neill and Harvey Keitel, Campion brings her characters to life against the evocative backdrop of New Zealand, which functions almost as another character in the story. Despite some odd elements that may feel slightly off-putting, the film's almost hallucinatory quality ensures it remains an unforgettable experience.

The Blu-ray release provides a mixed bag in terms of technical presentation. While the video quality can appear taken from an aged print in need of restoration, resulting in less-than-pristine visuals, the audio fares better, enhancing Michael Nyman’s haunting score. The package is disappointingly sparse on supplemental features, making it a barebones release that leaves much to be desired for collectors and cinephiles who appreciate added context and behind-the-scenes content.

In conclusion, "The Piano" is certainly unusual on any number of levels. Campion creates several unforgettable characters in this film and the setting is both evocative and provocative. Hunter and Paquin both earned well-deserved Oscars here, but Neill and especially Keitel are no less remarkable, and Campion wisely utilizes New Zealand as basically another character. The film does have a couple of odd elements which are slightly off-putting, but the overall effect here is so strange and almost hallucinatory at times that few will probably mind very much. This Blu-ray offers excellent video and audio and despite being way too light on supplemental features, it comes Recommended.