The Piano

The Piano tells a story which obviously triggers emotions. It could be considered a Chick Flick because women may find it easier to empathize with the main character, and therefore feel the emotions on a deeper level.
Throughout the film there seems to be an inner strength to Ada. She cannot speak, and yet she tends to communicate in an, almost outspoken manner. She speaks through her daughter and her paper, and perhaps communicates things that would be considered innappropriate for a lady to speak. For example, when she tells the sailor she would rather . . (I forgot what she said exactly but it was bad) . . than get back on his ship. She is able to convey a stronger opinion and have them overlooked because of her muteness. She may be taken advantage of because people know she cannot speak up for herself (for example when the maids are running around in the kitchen with her wedding dress on) . . if she could speak I doubt they would do that. However, Ada does portray a kind of inner strength through her muteness.
Another prominant theme in The Piano was the use of a womans sexuality to get what she covets. Ada may not have much power in choosing when she would like to use her sexuality, but it is a power she holds over men. Ada is put in more than one compromising situation. Her sexuality is a tool but a burden at the same time. She is obviously not comfortable with the situatons, but she understands that her sexuality presents an opportunity to get what she wants.
The Piano offers women the opportunity to sympathize with another woman, who lived hundreds of years ago. Although it may not be the happy, cute, funny, girly movie we have come to recognized as Chick Flicks- it does trigger a range of emotions that especially women can relate to. We can image being betrayed by a loved one, or having a secret affair- the movie does not shine the best light on men, but it is wonderful at triggering emotions.