the piano

I found The Piano to be a very interesting film, and in light of the class discussion on chick flicks this film proved to tear down the stereotypical characteristics associated with female films. Instead of the predictable, light-hearted, fairy tale romance of most chick flicks, The Piano is filled with dark and gloomy expressions.
Throughout the movie, the theme of male dominance is portrayed. First, Ada’s father places her in an arranged marriage forcing her to travel to a country which is new and strange to her. Ada has a strong attachment to her piano which she uses express herself, and without it she is silent in a world of sound. Campion further shows how men tend to control women through her husband’s dislike of the piano and his choosing to sell it even when he realizes her love for it. Although eventually Ada grows to love Baines, the man who the piano is sold to, he also tries to control her as well. It is evident that the film comes from a female perspective because Ada follows her heart instead doing what was logical she takes a risk by going to be with Gaines. The film portrays that Ada like many other women are forced to have their feelings barricaded by men. When Ada’s husband wants to prevent her form seeing Baines he locks her inside placing boards on the windows causing her the daughter to look through the holes in the wood in order to see outside. This is also how Ada’s husband confirms her affair with Baines as well. The female point of view is also shown through the fact that although Ada cannot speak and Baines cannot read they are able to communicate in other ways. In the end I believe that Ada realized that the piano was not her only way to express her emotions, and with the piano buried she was able to release her emotions and desires.