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The Piano Teacher (2001)
"La pianiste" (original title)

R  |   |  Drama  |  5 September 2001 (France)
7.4
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Ratings: 7.4/10 from 35,228 users   Metascore: 79/100
Reviews: 232 user | 125 critic | 26 from Metacritic.com

A young man romantically pursues his masochistic piano teacher.

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Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 17 wins & 21 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
Mrs. Schober
Udo Samel ...
Dr. George Blonskij
Anna Sigalevitch ...
Anna Schober
Cornelia Köndgen ...
Mme Gerda Blonskij
Thomas Weinhappel ...
Baritone
Georg Friedrich ...
Man in drive-in
Philipp Heiss ...
Naprawnik
William Mang ...
Teacher
Rudolf Melichar ...
Director
Michael Schottenberg ...
Teacher
Gabriele Schuchter ...
Margot
...
Singing teacher
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Storyline

Erika Kohut is a pianist, teaching music. Schubert and Schumann are her forte, but she's not quite at concert level. She's approaching middle age, living with her mother who is domineering then submissive; Erika is a victim then combative. With her students she is severe. She visits a sex shop to watch DVDs; she walks a drive-in theater to stare at couples having sex. Walter is a self-assured student with some musical talent; he auditions for her class and is forthright in his attraction to her. She responds coldly then demands he let her lead. Next she changes the game with a letter, inviting him into her fantasies. How will he respond; how does sex have power over our other faculties? Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Genres:

Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for aberrant sexuality including violence, and for language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

| |

Language:

|

Release Date:

5 September 2001 (France)  »

Also Known As:

The Piano Teacher  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

€3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$1,236,319 (France) (7 September 2001)

Gross:

$1,900,282 (USA) (8 November 2002)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The character of the mother is based on author Elfriede Jelinek's real life mother. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
The Mother: Good evening, child.
Erika Kohut: Evening, mama.
The Mother: [sarcastically] Home already? I'm so happy.
Erika Kohut: I'm going.
The Mother: Not so fast.
Erika Kohut: Please. Leave me be. I'm tired.
The Mother: I can quite believe it. Your last pupil left 3 hours ago. Might I know where you've been all this time?
Erika Kohut: [trying to go to her room] Please.
The Mother: No, you don't. Not until you tell me.
[...]
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Nymphomaniac: Vol. II (2013) See more »

Soundtracks

Piano Trio in E flat, D.929
Franz Schubert
See more »

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User Reviews

"Beauty" isn't necessarily "pretty."
4 April 2004 | by (Lake Norman (Mooresville), NC, USA) – See all my reviews

Definitely NOT for the faint-of-heart or for those seeking passive entertainment, this film is a masterpiece of portraiture of a highly talented and disturbed artist – a perfect illustration of the idea that genius is considered but a short step from insanity.

It has been many months since I viewed this film, and I find myself turning the film over in my head quite often. That – to me – is the mark of a well-done film – or any work of art, for that matter.

I have never since seen a prodigiously talented performer without wondering what their day-to-day life and relationships must be like. This film stayed with me despite my revulsion to its "ugliness" – the discomfiture it engenders.

Highly recommended!


22 of 29 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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Could have been a great movie kimkegaard
What about the knife at the end ? l_dura_lex_sed_lex_l
Incredibly Boring luckycharm65
Films About S+M Relationships... bjsmith003
Why did Erika's mother slap Erika? SonnyCarson
Outside the couple's car... by_candlelight
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