Movies About Piano

From Roman Polanski, starring Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay, Emilia Fox
Rated R

The Pianist is a biographical drama film directed by Roman Polanski, based on the autobiography of the same name by Władysław Szpilman. It tells the story of Szpilman, a Jewish pianist, who is struggling to survive the destruction of the Warsaw Ghetto of World War II. In the years leading up to Nazi occupation, Szpilman is an accomplished and celebrated musician living with his family in the city. But when the Germans invade, Szpilman is forced into the ghetto and separated from his family. Despite the constant danger of arrests and deportations, Szpilman is able to survive with the help of a few brave individuals and his own indomitable will. The film chronicles Szpilman's struggle to survive and his eventual liberation by the Red Army in 1945. The Pianist is a powerful and poignant reminder of the horrors of war and the courage of those who survive it.

From Milos Forman, starring F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, Roy Dotrice
Rated R

Amadeus is a biographical drama film from 1984, directed by Milos Forman and starring Tom Hulce as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Set in Vienna during the later part of the 18th century, the film chronicles the life, career and death of the musical genius, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as seen through the eyes of his jealous rival and contemporary, Antonio Salieri. The film follows Mozart as he struggles to compose and to be accepted by the Viennese court, while Salieri schemes and plots to stop Mozart's success, out of jealousy of his talent. Along the way, the audience is treated to a parade of Mozart's and Salieri's masterpieces, and to a study of their passions, relationships, and motivations. In the end, Amadeus is a moving and powerful story of two men and their rivalry, set against the backdrop of the baroque music of Vienna.

From Giuseppe Tornatore, starring Tim Roth, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Mélanie Thierry, Bill Nunn
Rated R

The Legend of 1900 is a 1998 Italian drama film directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. It tells the story of an orphan named 1900, who is discovered as a newborn on a transatlantic ocean liner by the ship's steward, Max. After being raised aboard the ship, 1900 develops into a talented jazz musician, but he is unwilling to disembark and leave the life he has known aboard the ship. A series of events, including a tragic love story, eventually leads 1900 to discover the truth about his past and make a daring decision. With stunning visuals and a stirring soundtrack, The Legend of 1900 is an epic tale of the power of music and the human spirit.

From Scott Hicks, starring Geoffrey Rush, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Justin Braine, Sonia Todd
Rated PG-13

Shine (1996) tells the story of pianist David Helfgott, whose musical talent is discovered at a young age. His father, a Holocaust survivor, is determined to protect David from the outside world, but David eventually breaks free and moves to London to study music. Despite early success, he suffers a mental breakdown and returns to Australia to live a quiet life. With determination, love and compassion, his wife, Gillian, helps him to slowly recover and discover his talent once again. The film follows his transformation from a timid, troubled man to a confident, celebrated pianist. Along the way, David rediscovers his passion for music, and with it, the courage to confront his past and reach for his dreams.

From Fredi M. Murer, starring Fabrizio Borsani, Bruno Ganz, Teo Gheorghiu, Julika Jenkins
Rated PG

Vitus is a Swiss/German film about a twelve-year-old child genius, Vitus, and his struggle between following his passion for music and living up to his family’s expectations to become a wealthy banker. Vitus is a brilliant pianist with dreams of becoming a professional musician, but his parents expect him to pursue a career in finance. Faced with this dilemma, Vitus finds solace with his grandfather, a retired aviator who supports Vitus’s passion and encourages him to follow his dreams. With his grandfather’s help, Vitus is able to find ways to practice his music while also attending classes to learn the basics of finance. As Vitus grows older, he must make a decision between a life of music and his parents’ expectations. In the end, Vitus finds a way to pursue both his music and a career in finance. The film follows Vitus’s journey of self-discovery and determination to pursue his dreams, despite any obstacles that may stand in his way.

From Jane Campion, starring Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill, Anna Paquin
Rated R

The Piano is an award-winning 1993 drama film written and directed by Jane Campion. The film stars Holly Hunter as a mute Scottish woman named Ada McGrath, who travels to New Zealand with her precocious young daughter and her beloved piano. Upon arrival, Ada is sold into marriage to a local frontiersman, Alisdair Stewart, who is interested in her piano, not her. As her only form of expression, Ada develops a silent relationship with her neighbor, George Baines, and a tumultuous relationship with her husband. Through her piano, Ada finds a way to express her passions, desires, and emotions, and ultimately, discovers her own voice.

From Michael Haneke, starring Isabelle Huppert, Annie Girardot, Benoît Magimel, Susanne Lothar
Rated R

The Piano Teacher is a 2001 Austrian film directed by Michael Haneke. It stars Isabelle Huppert as Erika Kohut, a piano instructor at a prestigious music school in Vienna. Erika's strict and cold demeanor masks her troubled past, which includes an abusive mother, a fascination with masochism, and an unrequited love for her student Walter Klemmer (Benoît Magimel). When Walter takes an interest in Erika, she is forced to confront her dark desires and hidden emotions. The film is a psychological exploration of obsession, repression, and power in human relationships.

From Kiyoshi Kurosawa, starring Teruyuki Kagawa, Kyôko Koizumi, Yû Koyanagi, Kai Inowaki
Rated PG-13

Tokyo Sonata is a 2008 Japanese drama film directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa. The film follows the story of the Sasaki family, which consists of the father, Ryûhei, the mother, Megumi, and their two sons, Takashi and Kenji. Ryûhei has recently been laid off from his job and struggles to find new employment while also trying to keep the family's financial troubles a secret from his family. Takashi, the eldest son, is a withdrawn and introverted teenager, while the younger son Kenji has been accepted into a prestigious music school. Ryûhei's unemployment causes increasing strain on the family, leading to conflict and despair. Ultimately, the family must come to terms with the harsh realities of their situation, and must find ways to cope and remain together.

From Bob Rafelson, starring Jack Nicholson, Karen Black, Billy Green Bush, Fannie Flagg
Rated R

From Directors: Michèle Hozer, Peter Raymont, starring Cornelia Foss, Glenn Gould
Rated Not Rated

From Jacques Audiard, starring Romain Duris, Aure Atika, Emmanuelle Devos, Niels Arestrup
Rated Not Rated

From Denis Dercourt, starring Catherine Frot, Déborah François, Pascal Greggory, Clotilde Mollet
Rated Unrated

From Agnieszka Holland, starring Ed Harris, Diane Kruger, Matthew Goode, Ralph Riach
Rated PG-13

From Jan Kounen, starring Anna Mouglalis, Mads Mikkelsen, Elena Morozova, Natacha Lindinger
Rated R

From Directors: Stephen Quay, Timothy Quay, Weiser Quay, starring Amira Casar, Gottfried John, Assumpta Serna, César Sarachu
Rated Not Rated

From Paul Wendkos, starring Alan Alda, Jacqueline Bisset, Barbara Parkins, Bradford Dillman
Rated R

From Eugenio Mira, starring Elijah Wood, John Cusack, Kerry Bishé, Tamsin Egerton
Rated R

From Directors: Phil Dorling, Ron Nyswaner, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Melissa Leo, Tracy Morgan, Isiah Whitlock Jr.
Rated R

From Cynthia Mort, starring Zoe Saldana, David Oyelowo, Kevin Mambo, Ronald Guttman
Rated Not Rated