Click to read the article
The Piano Teacher (2002)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted: 79
Fresh: 58
Rotten:21
Average Rating: 6.9/10
Consensus: Though it makes for rather unpleasant viewing, The Piano Teacher is a riveting and powerful psychosexual drama.
Runtime: 2 hrs 5 mins
Genre: Foreign Films
Theatrical Release:Mar 29, 2002 Limited
Box Office: $727,786
Synopsis: Erika (Isabelle Huppert) teaches classical piano in a cold and often abrasive style. Approaching middle age, she lives with her doting mother (Annie Girardot) and still sleeps in the same bed with... Erika (Isabelle Huppert) teaches classical piano in a cold and often abrasive style. Approaching middle age, she lives with her doting mother (Annie Girardot) and still sleeps in the same bed with her. Erika's social life consists of occasionally sneaking away to a peep show where she secretly comes into contact with perverse passion, often using the discarded trash of previous customers. Her beautiful piano playing seduces youthful Walter (Benoit Magimel), who then takes the instructor's advanced class. Walter reveals his desire during a class session. Erika reacts curiously, presenting a long list of cruel, humiliating sexual acts she would like him to perform on her. Meanwhile, the teacher also torments a talented student (Anna Sigalevitch) who is already plagued by her own fears. Michael Haneke (CODE UNKNOWN) directed this unflinching allegorical tale of cruelty. The film caused a stir at the Cannes Film Festival where it was controversial not only for its subject matter, but also because it won multiple awards there--the Grand Prize and acting awards for both Huppert and Magimel--despite leaving many audience members outraged. Based on a novel by Elfriede Jelinek, the film features numerous classical piano sonatas banged out in an aggressive style. [More]
Starring: Isabelle Huppert, Benoit Magimel, Annie Girardot, Susanne Lothar
Starring: Isabelle Huppert, Benoit Magimel, Annie Girardot, Susanne Lothar, Udo Samel, Anna Sigalevitch, Thomas Weinhappel, Cornelia Kondgen
Director: Michael Haneke
Director: Michael Haneke
Screenwriter: Michael Haneke
Producer: Veit Heiduschka
Studio: Kino International
Get This Movie
Reviews for The Piano Teacher
A film of Artaudian cruelty, and a boundary-breaker in the cinema's exploration of its own erotic and artisanal id.
If genital mutilation, rape, incest and twisted acts of sexual gratification are your thing, then this is the film for you. Any takers?
It’s a harrowing, difficult film that’s only for the most adventurous art-house movie fans.
This is a penetrating, deeply disturbing examination of desire and loneliness, of desperation and self-denial.
An unflinching view into sexual sadism, starkly contrasted against a background of Rachmaninov, Schubert and Bach.
Haneke keeps us at arm's length. Guided more by intellect than heart, his story flattens instead of sharpens.
It is depressing, ruthlessly pained and depraved, the movie equivalent of staring into an open wound.
Latest News for The Piano Teacher
May 24, 2009:
Cannes 2009: The Tomato Report - Haneke's The White Ribbon Scoops Palme d’Or
Michael Haneke took Cannes' top honour tonight as his film, The White Ribbon, won the prestigious Palme d'Or. It's Haneke's third major Cannes prize but his first Palme d'Or.... More...
Related Forums for The Piano Teacher
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
79% 79% |
Gran Torino |
30% 30% |
12 Rounds |
23% 23% |
Confessions of a Shopa… |
|
The Code |
39% 39% |
Inkheart |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
22% 22% |
Push |
12% 12% |
The Unborn |
RT On Current TV
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Piano Teacher at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Piano Teacher at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

MSN's David Fear and Frank Paiva go head to head discussing the pros and cons of Bruno star Sacha Baron Cohen.

The AV Club's Scott Tobias takes a second look at David Lynch's cult classic, Lost Highway.

TIME takes us on a 25-year long journey into the superstar's career, giving us a look at his 10 best roles.

BuzzSugar reports on Paramount's plans to rebirth the iconic TV show as a comedy film.



Top Critic


