THE PIANIST is based on an autobiography by the Polish classical pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman. The movie is a depiction of the life of Szpilman, played superbly by Adrien Brody, as a Jew in Poland during the time of the arrival of the Nazi Holocaust. Director Roman Polanski draws on his own personal and traumatic experiences of the time to powerfully portray the abuse and poor treatment of Polish Jews under Nazi rule. The story is told in Warsaw as the war begins through the transfer of Jews to the Warsaw Ghetto, the uprisings, and finally the end of World War II. To have survived the holocaust can be considered a miracle in itself but to have survived in the way that Szpilman did is truly awe-inspiring. He did so through luck, cunning, and help from the kindness of non-Jews who risked and lost their lives, and finally from the most unlikely savior of all, a German Officer.
Polanski does an incredible job in his portrayal of Jewish tragedy and anguish in war stricken Poland. His own experiences there, give the film a haunting feel of authenticity. Nevertheless, his ingenious use of special effects wonderfully accentuates the complete destruction endured by European cities during Nazi invasions. How they were rebuilt, is a testament to humanity’s resilience.
The real star of the film, outdoing even the director himself, is Adrien Brody. His performance is simply magnificent as the serene and harmless man caught up in something of such great magnitude. The screen presence that he brings with this character is weighty and pensive and all this seems to be done with effortless ease. Szpilman’s story would in itself evoke much pathos from the audience but Brody gives his character a definitive innocence and likeability and heart-rending humility. His solo scenes are masterful and always provide the audience with enough emotion and anxiety to feel nothing but respect for him.
All in all, this is a fantastic film. The musical score is good although I’m not a huge fan of classical music and the screenplay is outstanding. Polanski’s vision, experience and skill coupled with the talent and polish of Brody make for excellent viewing. 5 out of 5!