The Piano Teacher
(2001)
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The Piano Teacher
(2001)
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Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Isabelle Huppert | ... | ||
Annie Girardot | ... | ||
Benoît Magimel | ... | ||
Susanne Lothar | ... |
Mrs. Schober
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Udo Samel | ... |
Dr. George Blonskij
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Anna Sigalevitch | ... |
Anna Schober
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Cornelia Köndgen | ... |
Mme Gerda Blonskij
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Thomas Weinhappel | ... |
Baritone
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Georg Friedrich | ... |
Man in drive-in
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Philipp Heiss | ... |
Naprawnik
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William Mang | ... |
Teacher
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Rudolf Melichar | ... |
Director
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Michael Schottenberg | ... |
Teacher
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Gabriele Schuchter | ... |
Margot
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Dieter Berner | ... |
Singing teacher
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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>
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!