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Trailer

The Piano

1993Movie2 h 0 minR

DramaRomance
84
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.5Metacritic898.0Rotten Tomatoes90%86%

A deeply romantic, deeply moving drama movie about history and family, with standout direction and performances.

Good for friends night · thought-provoking · adults

Skip it if you want fast pacing · you're watching with family

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Not for laughs, warmth or comfort.

Movies with

Story

Silence affects everyone in the end.

When an arranged marriage brings Ada and her spirited pre-teen daughter Flora to the wilderness of 19th-century New Zealand, she finds herself locked in a battle of wills with both her controlling husband and a rugged frontiersman to whom she develops a forbidden attraction.

Feels like

  • Gothic Romance
  • Historical Drama
  • Forbidden Love
  • Colonial New Zealand
  • Feminist Themes
  • Artistic Expression
  • Muted Protagonist
  • Lush Cinematography
  • Iconic Score
  • Psychological Depth

Cast

15 of 15

Crew

Directed by
Jane Campion
Written by
Jane Campion
Produced by
Jan Chapman
Music by
Michael Nyman

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

May 18, 1993 · 2 h 0 min · R

Released
May 18, 1993
Runtime
2 h 0 min
Age rating
R
Content
Sexual Content, Nudity, Violence, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama, Romance
Original language
English
Also spoken
Māori
Made in
Australia, France, New Zealand
Budget
$7 million
Box office
$40 million
Available in
39 countries

Tropes

Rule of Symbolism, Male Frontal Nudity, It's All My Fault +9

  • Rule of Symbolism
  • Male Frontal Nudity
  • It's All My Fault
  • Reality Has No Subtitles
  • Bittersweet Ending
  • Going Native
  • Love Hurts
  • The Ditz
  • Cooldown Hug
  • I Want My Beloved to Be Happy
  • Marital Rape License
  • Sexless Marriage

12 of 55 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream The Piano?"

Questions about The Piano

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Piano?

In the United States, you can rent or buy The Piano from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. It streams in 34 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is The Piano worth watching?

84
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 84 (IMDb 7.5, Rotten Tomatoes 90%, and Metacritic 89). Critics rate it higher (90 out of 100) than audiences (80).

Is The Piano good for date night?

Partner WatchAdultsFriends NightSolo Watch

It suits a quiet night in as a couple: romance is 9 of 10, but the viewing guide doesn't list it for date night.

Is The Piano plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

Was The Piano a box office hit?

Budget$7 million
Box office$40 million

Yes, a big one: it cost about $7 million to make and earned $40 million worldwide, 5.7 times its budget.

What tropes does The Piano use?

Rule of SymbolismMale Frontal NudityIt's All My FaultReality Has No SubtitlesBittersweet EndingGoing NativeLove HurtsThe DitzCooldown HugI Want My Beloved to Be HappyMarital Rape LicenseSexless Marriageand 43 more

TV Tropes lists 55 tropes for it, including Rule of Symbolism, Male Frontal Nudity, and It's All My Fault.